New Yorkers have experienced profound loss this year as our communities continue to be ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. In the midst of all that we continue to endure, the annual Organ Donor Enrollment Day is an initiative committed to bringing hope to the nearly 10,000 New Yorkers currently waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant.
Every 18 hours, a New Yorker dies while waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant because the organ he/she needs is not donated in time. With not enough residents registered as organ donors, Stony Brook University Hospital will work with our partner, LiveOnNY, to save lives by raising awareness about the importance of organ donation and sign up new organ donors.
As the hosts of the event, LiveOnNY asks hospitals, businesses, colleges and anyone who wants to form a group and participate to do so. The goal of the one-day event is to enroll as many individuals as possible in the New York State donor registry. The group that has the most enrollments, in their category, will be acknowledged by LiveOnNY with a plaque/certificate. Stony Brook has participated every year for the past five years, and we have been acknowledged every year for the most enrollments in the category of “Hospital with a Transplant Center.”
To ensure everyone’s health and safety, this year’s Organ Donor Enrollment Day will be a virtual event held next Thursday, October 8. Activities will include a friendly competition between nursing units and any department that would like to participate with the goal of obtaining the most social media shares and enrollments. They will be asked to share a video stream on social media that will include public service announcements (PSA) and musical performances with a link to allow people to enroll on the donor registry. The PSAs will be educational regarding the need for this event and will also include patient stories. They will also be livestreamed throughout the day. Check our social media channels on Thursday to view and share the video.
Organ Donor Enrollment Day is more than just a day of awareness – it’s a movement. By enrolling to be an organ donor, you can take a powerful step toward helping to save and improve the lives of others. Studies show that over 90 percent of New Yorkers support organ donation, but only 25 percent are registered donors. New York State ranks 50 out of 50 states for the percent of residents registered as organ donors. As a result, the state has one of the longest waiting times in the country.
One organ donor can save up to eight lives, and one tissue donor can improve the lives of up to 50 people. I encourage you to participate and spread the word about this important event. In just minutes, you can take action and become part of the movement.
Carol