(New York, N.Y.) December 18, 2006 – Even though the number of African-American organ donors increased in 2006 throughout the greater New York metropolitan area, there are still close to 7,000 people on the waiting list in the region. Thousands more need tissues such as corneas, skin, and bone.

For this reason, the New York Organ Donor Network is delivering an end-of-year message to African-Americans, reminding them that more than half of black families approached for organ donation in 2006 declined, and to ask them to set aside Black History Month in February to create awareness among their communities about the life-saving role of donation.

Elaine Berg, the Donor Network’s president and CEO, said: “Even as we celebrate the lives of an increasing number of African-American donors and the lives they saved, we urge New Yorkers to discuss donation during Black History Month. February is the ideal time for community and business leaders, as well as religious leaders, schools and, of course, each and every individual, to learn about donation.”

“This is an opportunity to receive free materials from the New York Organ Donor Network, including information that counteracts many of the common myths that surround the topic of donation, such as only the rich and influential get transplants,” Ms. Berg said. “The transplant list system, coordinated by the United Network for Organ Sharing, is entirely equitable, based on how critically ill the patient is, how long the patient has been listed, and so on. Race, ethnicity and financial status are not considerations when it comes to saving lives.”

The New York Organ Donor Network invites New Yorkers to learn more about organ and tissue donation by visiting its Web site at www.donatelifeny.org. The Web site also offers a link to the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry, whereby people can enroll in the confidential database administered by the New York State Department of Health.

To participate in Black History Month, contact Karen Cummings at the New York Organ Donor Network, at 646-291-4444, or email her at kcumming@nyodn.org.