Declare Donor Day Statewide

February 14, 2020, as Donor Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Donor Day WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of citizens of New York State and across the Nation; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 14, 2020, as Donor Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Donor Day; and WHEREAS, National Donor Day was started in 1998 by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and many nonprofit health organizations to raise awareness for organ, eye, tissue, marrow, platelet, and blood donation; and WHEREAS, National Donor Day is a time to focus on five points of life: organs, tissues, marrow, platelets, and blood by participating in blood/marrow drives or donor registration events; and WHEREAS, It is also a day to recognize our loved ones who have given the gift of donation, have received a donation, are currently waiting, or did not receive an organ in time; and WHEREAS, There is a tremendous need for organ donations in New York State with approximately 9,500 New Yorkers on waiting lists as of 2019 as the need for organ, tissue and blood donations far exceed the supply; and WHEREAS, More than 500 New Yorkers died in 2018 because an organ did not become available in time to save their lives; and WHEREAS, One person who donates their organs (heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and intestines) can save up to eight lives; and WHEREAS, A tissue donor (corneas, bone, skin, heart valves, tendons, veins, etc.) can improve 12 or more lives by restoring eyesight, helping fight infections in burn patients and preventing the loss of mobility and disability; and WHEREAS, It is possible to donate a kidney, partial liver, lung or pancreas as a living donor, and in fact, approximately 40% of organ and tissue donations are from living donors; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness and educational initiatives offered regarding the decision to donate one's organs, eyes, tissues, marrow, platelet, and/or blood and more must be done to increase activity at the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 14, 2020, as Donor Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Donor Day; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.