written by: Sierra Goerg
Maria LaPersonerie found comfort during a time of crisis when her 22-year-old son, Sean, was able to save three lives after dying in a tragic car accident. Sean had previously registered to become an organ donor. “He gave us the biggest gift,” LaPersonerie said regarding her son’s organ donation, “Sean’s life didn’t end there. He continues to live on helping people.”
In terms of organ donation registration, New York is ranked fifty-one in a country of fifty states. This is because Puerto Rico, the federal entity, is ranked above New York. To address this need, Governor Cuomo recently proclaimed April as the Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month in the State of New York. In addition, Assemblyman Chad Lupinacci (R,C,I – South Huntington) hosted a press conference to bring awareness and education towards organ donation.
“As a state we are ranked four in solar capability,” said Lupinacci, “meanwhile at the same time we are ranked dead last in terms of organ donations.”
Lupinacci brought attention to the grave need for organ donation stating that New York has the third highest need for organ donors. Meanwhile, every fifteen minutes a New Yorker dies while waiting for an organ transplant.
Lupinacci stated that education and awareness are crucial factors in donor registration. He passionately believes how crucial it is that children learn about organ transplant and donation at an earlier age.
“I think that if you ask a vast majority of people, they would be supportive of the cause of organ donation,” said Dr. Frank Darras, a transplant surgeon at Stony Brook University, “but there needs to be more education on how to be a donor and starting with education at a younger age is one way to help get the ball rolling.”
To promote education, Lupinacci along with Assemblyman Andrew Raia (R,I,C – East Northport) introduced legislation last week to require middle and high school health curriculum to include sections on organ donation and transplants. A senate sponsor was attained and the legislation will be introduced to the senate this week.
“If we begin with education and our students are educated earlier,” said Lupinacci, “we can begin the registration process at an earlier age.”
New York is one of the few states that only allows those who are 18-years-old or older to register to become an organ donor. Across the country organ registration though the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) accounts for ninety percent of enrollment. However due to the age restriction, many 16 and 17-year-olds getting their driver’s license will not be able to register at the DMV until they are twenty-nine. This is due to an automatic eight year license renewal cycle. To address this, Assemblyman Felix Ortiz (D-Kings) is carrying out a legislature, co-sponsored by Lupinacci, to give 16 and 17-year-olds the opportunity to register to become organ donors.
“This is a shame,” said James Padres, vice president of marketing at LiveOnNY, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplant in New York, “this bill that they’re working on will hopefully address this issue at the DMV.”
Despite falling behind in organ donation, New York State has been innovative as being the only state to include donor registration on their voting ballot. Michael Sonsa, the director of public policy at Long Island Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO), a non-profit organization supporting, advocating and educating organ donation on Long Island, estimates that in the future other states will follow New York’s lead and include an organ donation section on every voting ballot.
“I always say that nothing ever takes the place of a good conversation,” said Legislator Steve Stern, author and sponsor of Organ Donation Awareness month in Suffolk County, “it’s just as important to let our loved ones know our feelings about death and dying, but specifically how we feel about organ donations.”
Maria LaPersonerie never knew her son signed up to become an organ donor. Knowing how hard it would have been to make the donor decision herself, it was a huge relief knowing it was what he wanted. Her son will always be her hero. She stated that her family never spoke about anything uncomfortable. However, after Sean’s death she now advocates that all families should open up the discussion about organ donation. “It’s about awareness. It’s about talking about it,” she said.
“The more we encourage conversation about organ donation and transplant,” said Lupinacci, “we can spread the word about the life saving effects it has and what true heroes those who donate are.”
New Yorkers who wish to register to become an organ or tissue donor can do so by visiting www.liveonny.com or their local DMV.
Sierra Goerg 