Erie County Clerk Kearns urges motorists to register as organ donors

April is National Donate Life Month; check box ‘Yes,’ and leave legacy of hope & life

Guest editorial by Erie County Clerk Michael P. Kearns

Every day in New York, someone is waiting for a life-saving organ transplant. For thousands of families, hope depends on the generosity of someone willing to give the “Gift of Life.”

Each April, my office proudly joins Donate Life New York State in recognizing National Donate Life Month, a time to raise awareness about the lifesaving impact of organ, eye and tissue donation, and to honor the donors whose generosity has helped save countless lives.

Many people don’t realize that one of the easiest places to become an organ donor is right at their local DMV. When Erie County residents visit the auto bureau to renew their driver’s license, obtain a permit or register a vehicle, they have the opportunity to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry. By simply checking “Yes,” motorists can help save and heal the lives of thousands of New Yorkers in need of transplants.

The impact of that simple decision is profound. Just one organ donor can save up to eight lives through the donation of hearts, lungs, livers, kidneys, pancreases and intestines. In addition, tissue and eye donors can improve the lives of more than 75 people by restoring eyesight, helping burn victims heal, and preventing mobility loss or disability.

Today, nearly 8,000 New Yorkers are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant, including close to 800 individuals right here in Western New York. Beyond that, many more people depend on tissue and eye donations that can dramatically improve their quality of life.

Meeting this critical need is made possible, in part, through the important work of the Erie County Auto Bureau. Since 2017, more than 225,000 Erie County motorists have enrolled in the Donate Life Registry through our local auto bureau offices. Erie County continues to exceed the statewide average, with 66% of eligible customers choosing to register, compared to 52.9% statewide. These impressive numbers reflect the compassion of our community and the dedication of the staff at the Erie County Auto Bureau.

Much thanks needs to be given to our auto bureau employees for their continued efforts to educate customers about the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation. Through our partnership with Connect Life and Donate Life New York State, we have made meaningful progress increasing registry enrollment across Erie County, but we must continue building on this momentum so that together we can save even more lives.

I encourage all motorists aged 16 and older to consider enrolling in the New York State Donate Life Registry the next time they visit an Erie County Auto Bureau office. No one is too old or too sick to register.

Simply check “Yes” and sign the organ donation consent when applying for or renewing your driver’s license, non-driver ID, or registering a vehicle in person for the first time. When you do, a heart symbol and the words “Organ Donor” will appear on the front of your license or identification card at no additional cost.

So, the next time someone asks, “Do you have a heart?” you can proudly answer, “Yes.”

According to Connect Life, about 80% of registered organ donors enroll through their local DMV when applying for or renewing a driver’s license, learner’s permit or non-driver ID. To learn more about organ, eye, tissue and blood donation, or to enroll in the registry, contact Connect Life at 716-529-4300 or visit donatelife.ny.gov.