Southampton, NY—As part of the continuing effort to raise awareness and get more New Yorkers to sign-up to be organ donors, Southampton Hospital recognized National Donate Life Month in April by partnering with the New York Organ Donor Network.
On April 18, a representative of the New York Organ Donor Network educated Southampton Hospital medical students about organ donation. As part of the presentation, East End residents Gwen & Frank Dalene and Anne Gianchetta shared stories about how organ donation has affected them personally.
“During our lives we all have an opportunity to do good work and help others. Organ donation allows us to continue our good work beyond our lives,” said Robert Chaloner, President and CEO of Southampton Hospital. “We should all consider organ donation as a way to help the many thousands of people who live every day in need.”
In New York State, nearly 10,000 people are waiting for life-saving organ transplants. Currently, 20% of individuals age 18 and over have signed the donor registry compared with an average of 45% across the United States.
Helen Irving, New York Organ Donor Network president and CEO, commented, “As there are fewer than 300 deceased organ donors in the greater New York metropolitan area each year, we look to invaluable partnerships from our region’s hospitals and transplant centers to encourage New Yorkers to add their names to the Donate Life Registry. Just one organ donor alone can save up to eight lives. That same person can save or improve up to 50 lives through tissue and eye donation. That’s why we appeal to New Yorkers to register as organ donors today.”
To register as an organ donor or for more information: Visit www.SaveLivesNewYork.org. You may also register at your local Department of Motor Vehicles.
Photo caption (l. to r.): Shawn P. Cannon, DO, FACOI (Director of Medical Education Program), Frank Dalene, Daniel Van Arsdale, DO (Administrative Director of Medical Education and Director of Family Medicine Program), Gwen Dalene, Anne Gianchetta, and Karen Cummings (Public & Professional Education Specialist, NY Organ Donor Network).
(l. to r.): Shawn P. Cannon, DO, FACOI (Director of Medical Education Program), Frank Dalene, Daniel Van Arsdale, DO (Administrative Director of Medical Education and Director of Family Medicine Program), Gwen Dalene, Anne Gianchetta, and Karen Cummings (Public & Professional Education Specialist, NY Organ Donor Network).