Register To Save Lives
New York residents age 16 or older can join the Donate Life Registry online, at the DMV, or through voter registration. Enrolling as an organ, eye and tissue donor can save the lives of up to eight people and enhance the lives of countless others.
Click below to register online today!
Donation by the Numbers in New York State
- Millions have said "Yes" to donation- New York now has over 6.6 million people enrolled in the New York State Donate Life Registry.
- Growing Registry Made Possible By You- The percentage of adults enrolled in the New York State Donate Life Registry has grown from 28% in 2017 to 43% in 2020.
- Critical Need- Over 400 people die in New York each year while awaiting a lifesaving transplant. Currently there are 8,810 people awaiting transplantation, the 3rd highest need of any state.
Donation by the Numbers in the U.S.
- Currently, in the US there are over 109,000 people on the UNOS waiting list for an organ transplant.
- Every 9 minutes, a new name is added to the list.
- 17 Americans die every day due to a lack of transplantable organs.
- Over 1,000,000 people each year benefit from some form of tissue transplantation.
Dave Gray, East Greenbush, NY
David “Dave” Gray was as a procurement specialist at Owens Corning, in Feura Bush, N.Y., where he worked for 37 years. A lifetime resident and native of East Greenbush, N.Y., where he and his wife of 40 years, Cathy, built their own home. They have two children, Jodi and Matt; and two grandchildren, Jesse and Lucy.
He is an avid camper, fisherman and hunter and an enthusiastic hobbyist, raising bees; harvesting honey and maple syrup; canning jellies, jams, pickles, salsa, tomatoes, chili sauce; and making his own beer, wine, balsamic vinegar, horseradish, and lipbalm.
In 2015, he was struck by viral cardiomyopathy, which compromised his heart and he was told he would need to be evaluated for heart transplant. Dave was accepted and placed on the organ recipient registry on Dec. 4, 2105, and received a left ventricular assist device, or LVAD, a surgically implanted mechanical heart pump in March of 2016. On Aug. 20, 2016, after a year-long battle that included 177 days in the hospital, Dave received his life-saving gift: a new heart from a 30-year old organ donor.
Since that time, Dave has been a devoted organ and transplant advocate, raising awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation, and supporting patients at Westchester Medical Center who anxiously await for a transplant or who are going through the donation/recipient process. Dave travels regularly to Westchester Medical Center, visiting patients and advocating for them on the patient family council. In addition to Westchester Medical Center, Dave partners with The Center for Donation and Transplant, Donate Life New York State, and LiveOnNy to raise community awareness.
Dave says that he awakens every day with his donor on his mind. His biggest piece of advice “don’t sweat the small stuff”. Dave is truly a man with heart; committed to giving back for his gifts and ensuring others can receive the gift of life as well.
Jonathan F. Pratt
Our son, Jonathan F. Pratt, was a beautiful human being who gave huge in life. His wish to give of himself as a tissue donor was one we as his parents carried through with after his death.
Jon was a pedestrian who was run down by a hit and run driver on drugs and alcohol. This driver was a felon who was let out of jail the day before killing our son, Jonathan. This loss has had a profound effect on our Family and Friends.
Jon, giving the gift of life to someone else after his passing has lifted our hearts knowing many other people are being helped. We find this deeply meaningful and with so much pride that this was Jon’s wish. Our amazing son giving of himself, even after he could not give his heart and love anymore in this life.
His writing’s continue on after him. We have published his book “The Purpose and Love Manifesto”. This book of philosophy is another contribution he has made to the world. We continue to know him, Love him and relate to him as an amazing giving man.
The following poem was written by Jon's mother, Constance D. Pratt.
‘Jon Beside Me’
Healing is Handed
My Hand Outstretched
I Enfold Pebble
In My Palm
With his Love around
My pebble
It is my
Precious Son’s Hand
giving me this gift
Of Healing Love
“I Still Hurt”
The pebble with the word “Healing” on it, was purchased by Jon in a store at Cape May Point 2012 while on vacation and given to his mother Constance.