The New York Organ Donor Network Issues an Urgent Appeal for More Organ and
Tissue Donors in April

(New York, NY, March 23, 2006) – No matter where you are, you don’t have to look far to find someone who has had an organ or tissue transplant. There are more than 400,000 organ transplant recipients in the United States alone. Others benefit from the donation of tissues such as skin, bone, corneas, and heart-valves. On average, a total of one million tissues are distributed nationally to approximately 700,000 to 800,000 patients.

Unfortunately, despite the success rates of life-saving transplants, more than 90,000 people need organ transplants in the U.S., and thousands more need tissues. The New York Organ Donor Network strongly urges New Yorkers to enroll in the state’s organ and tissue donor registry during National Donate Life Month in April. The month has been designated by the federal government to raise awareness about the need for organ, tissue, blood and bone marrow donors. To become donors, the public can enroll online in New York’s Organ and Tissue Donor Registry at www.donatelifeny.org, the Donor Network’s Web site.

Elaine Berg, Donor Network president and CEO, said: “We hope that as many New Yorkers as possible are alerted during National Donate Life Month to the desperate need for organ and tissue donors in our region. While there are close to 7,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the Greater New York metro area, there were only 261 organ donors in 2005. We therefore appeal to everyone to enroll in the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry and tell their loved ones about their decision to become donors.”

Ms. Berg added: “At the same time, during April, we wish to acknowledge the donors and their families whose generous gifts of life over the years will never be forgotten by the recipients and their families. There is no greater way of sharing one’s love of life than by passing it on to others. That is the true message of National Donate Life Month.”

The dire shortage of organs is evident in data released by the New York Organ Donor Network

• In 2005, a total of 306 families consented to organ donation in the Greater New York metropolitan area, representing a 48 percent consent rate. The New York metro area consent rate for organ donation in 2004 was 47 percent. Nationally, the consent rate is around 55 percent.
 
• In 2005 in the Greater New York metropolitan area, of the 306 families that consented, a total of 261 organ donors were medically suitable. This number showed a leveling off when compared with 262 in 2004. On the positive side, 684 organs were transplanted in 2005, 30 more than in the previous year.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: The Donor Network encourages New Yorkers to find out more about organ and tissue donation during April by logging onto the organization’s Web site at www.donatelifeny.org. Visitors to the site can also enroll online in the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, the confidential database administered by the New York State Department of Health. Since its launch in 2000, a total of 1.1 million New Yorkers have enrolled, representing only 5.8 percent of New York State’s total population of 19 million.

DONATE LIFE MONTH 2006 – CALENDAR OF EVENTS

April 1 - Remember and Rejoice: TRIO Manhattan Chapter’s 11th Annual Ecumenical Service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Fifth Ave., between 50th and 51st Streets, New York, from 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. The annual service honors and remembers organ and tissue donors and their families who gave the gift of life, and rejoice with recipients who have received the special gift. All are welcome. For information, call 718-597-5619 pr 212-777-8088, or e-mail triom@aol.com.

Throughout April - The God Committee: New York Organ Donor is supporting the Off-Broadway production of The God Committee – a new play by Mark St. Germain about three patients who need heart transplants. Performances are held throughout April at the Lamb’s Theatre, 130 W. 44th Street, between Broadway and 6th Avenue. For tickets visit Telecharge.com or call (212) 239-6200

Various dates in April - New York Health and Racquet Club: In celebration of National Donate Life Month, the New York Health and Racquet Club, one of the premier fitness clubs in business for thirty years, will offer table sessions in each of their ten locations. To express their motto which is “life is a gift,” each date will offer free giveaways and opportunities to sign up on the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry. The sessions will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. on April 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 19, 20, 24, 26 and 27.

April 4, 11 and 18 - “Transplant” on Discovery Health Channel: During National Donate Life Month, Discovery Health Channel will present a three- part medical series on organ donation. TRANSPLANT!, hosted by Dr. Mehmet Oz, chronicles the dramatic stories of patients at New York Presbyterian Hospital that are awaiting life-saving heart transplants. Some of the patients will get a new heart—others will not. Following adult and pediatric cases, at home and in the hospital, the series focuses on the individual patients, their families, their medical treatment, and their first-person experiences as potential organ recipients. The series also features inspirational stories of donor families, who describe the experience of donating the life-saving organs of a loved one, with the thought of helping others. TRANSPLANT! airs on April 4, 11 and 18. Check local listings for times.

Throughout April - New York State Broadcasters Association Campaign: The New York Organ Donor Network is a member of the New York Alliance for Donation. As a result of the Donor Network’s collaborative efforts with the New York State Broadcasters Association, radio stations throughout the Greater New York Metropolitan area are broadcasting 30 and 60-second commercials during April to promote National Donate Life Month.

Throughout April - American Red Cross Ready New York: The Donor Network will participate in the American Red Cross’s “Ready New York” events, which are dedicated to preparing individuals and families for emergencies. Tabling activities will also help to promote the importance of National Donate Life Month.

Various dates at the end of March and in April - North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System Flag Raising Ceremonies: In honor of National Donate Life Month, several hospitals in the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System will be hosting Flag Raising Ceremonies at their campuses:

Various dates at the end of March and in April – Information Tables at Events to Promote Organ and Tissue Donation among New York’s Chinese Community – For information, contact Kelly Eng at the New York Organ Donor Network, 646-291-4452:

Sunday, April 23 – 12th Annual Walk-A-Thon: Family and friends are invited to take part in the12th Annual Walk-A-Thon hosted by Transplants Save Lives at Rockland State Park at 12 Noon. Celebrity guests including Dave Jennings, former All-Pro Punter – New York Giants and Jets; and current sportscaster. Starting point: Parking lot of #1 North Entrance. No cost to participate. Information: Phone 845-352-5099 or 845-353-3062.

Friday, April 28 - Campaign for Organ Donation Awareness 5-K Walk at SUNY Stony Brook: This event will take place on Friday, April 28 at 12 Noon. Location: SUNY Stony Brook Student Activity Center. SUNY Stony Brook is a supporter of organ and tissue donation. In 2004, the University joined Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson’s Workplace Partnership for Life program, to create a “donation friendly America.” For Donate Life Month 2006, the students of LDS 102.S17, under the auspices of the Undergraduate College of Leadership & Service will host a 5-K Walk awareness event in conjunction with the New York Organ Donor and Stony Brook University Hospital’s Transplant program. For more information, contact: Scott A. Smolka, Professor, Department of Computer Science, SUNY at Stony Brook: Phone 631-632-8453 or e-mail sas@cs.sunysb.edu; or Margaret Gallagher, Hospital Services Manager, New York Organ Donor Network: Phone 646- 291-4445 or e-mail mbrowne@nyodn.org.

For more information, contact Martin Woolf at 646-291-4460 or mwoolf@nyodn.org.