Buffalo Ledger

Assemblyman Mike Norris (R,C-Lockport) recently participated in a public awareness event at the state Capitol, urging more people to register as organ donors. Norris, a registered organ donor himself, highlighted the importance of the cause during National Donate Life Month.

"When we hear that April is National Donate Life Month, we may forget the stories and the lives behind the staggering statistics," said Norris, emphasizing the human aspect of organ donation. He pointed out that New York State ranks low in organ donation rates, with 10,000 individuals currently on the waiting list.

Assemblyman Norris stressed, "You never know when your life is going to change, but your gift could save the lives of many other people." He lamented the tragic reality that over 800 New Yorkers waiting for transplants in 2015 either died or became too ill to receive a transplant while on the list.

Norris has been actively advocating for increased awareness of the New York State Donate Life Registry and for streamlining the registration process. He encouraged all New Yorkers aged 16 and above to consider registering as organ donors, emphasizing that no one is too old to donate. The registry allows individuals to specify which organs and tissues they wish to donate.

To enroll or learn more about organ donation, interested individuals can visit the Donate for Life Registry Online at https://donatelife.ny.gov/register/.