The New York State Department of Health is encouraging New Yorkers to enroll in the State’s organ donation registry during the annual NYS Donor Enrollment Day on October 7, 2022. More than seven million New Yorkers have already committed to making this lifesaving gift by signing up on the State’s Donate Life Registry to become organ and tissue donors.
“Enrolling in the State’s Donate Life Registry is a meaningful way to save lives and change lives,” New York State Health Commissioner Dr. Mary T. Bassett said. “Choosing to become an organ donor will give people waiting for a transplant a renewed chance at life and I encourage all New Yorkers to enroll today, if they haven’t already.”
In New York State, nearly 8,500 people are waiting for transplants of organ, eye and tissue donations, with some waiting years for transplants that could change their lives for the better. The majority need a kidney donation. More than 7,200 New Yorkers undergo dialysis treatment while they wait for a kidney donation to improve their health and overall quality of life. In 2021, 820 individuals, including several under the age of 18, were removed from transplant waiting lists because they became too ill to undergo a transplant procedure or they passed away before an organ became available.
All New Yorkers who are at least 16 years of age are eligible to register as organ donors. Donors can determine what they want to give, including specific organs and tissues, as well as identify whether the donation is for transplant or research or both. Organ donors may save the lives of as many as eight people, while eye and tissue donors can improve the health and lives of others. To learn more about the impact donations make on the lives of recipients, visit the Donate Life NYS website.
New Yorkers can enroll to be organ donors in a variety of ways in addition to directly through the New York State Donate Life Registry:
- Sign up through the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles or completing the donation section on a driver’s license or non-driver ID renewal application.
- Complete this paper form or the online form when you register to vote.
- Complete the donation section on the application for an ID in New York City through the IDNYC program.
The registration database is confidential and individuals can access their registration at any time to make changes. Frequently asked questions about organ donation and the registry can be found here.
