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Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network > Understanding Organ Donation > 4 Easy Ways to Enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry

4 Easy Ways to Enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry

Every day more and more people are making the decision to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry. By signing up, you are making a heroic and potentially life-saving decision.


By enrolling in the New York State Donate Life Registry, you are giving legal consent to donate organs and tissues upon your death. This is an important and vital step to document your final wishes with regards to organ and tissue donation. Signing the back of your license or carrying a “donor card” that was issued to you years ago, does not officially enroll you in the Donate Life Registry. Joining the registry can be done in a variety of ways.

Join the New York State Donate Life Registry in a way that is most convenient for you:

  1. Enroll online. It only takes a few minutes!
  2. Print out an enrollment form, complete it and either email or mail it in. The email and postal mail addresses are on the form. This form is also available in multiple languages on the New York State Donate Life website at donatelifeny.gov.
  3. Sign up at the DMV when applying for (or renewing) your learner’s permit, driver’s license or non-driver ID. Simply check the “Yes” box in the organ and tissue donation section on the DMV form.
  4. Request that a donor registry form be mailed to you. You can do so by contacting Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network.  Call us at 585-272-4930.

 


Have questions? Check out this Donor Registry Q&A

Did you know? You can also enroll when you register to vote in New York State. (PDF)

Not from New York? Then visit Donate Life America to find your state’s donor registry.


Inform your family and friends

Once you enroll in the New York State Donate Life Registry, it’s essential you tell family members and those close to you about your organ donation decision. There should be no question in their minds about your decision. Here are some quick ways to let them know you enrolled in the registry:

  • Have a dinner table discussion. Tell your family members that you want to give the gift of life.
  • Post your decision and like us on our Facebook page and your Facebook page. Provide a link to our website at www.donorrecovery.org.
  • Tweet about it. If you have a following on Twitter, share information about organ donation.
  • Email your family.  Some suggested language for a message is included below. Send Email Now!  (yourfamilyandfriendsatremovethisaddressdotcom?subject=My%20Decision%20to%20Be%20an%20Organ%20Donor&body=)  

I’m writing to tell you that I have enrolled in the New York State Donate Life Registry for organ and tissue donation. This is important to me and I’d like you to know so that my decision is carried out. You can learn more about organ and tissue donation by exploring these websites: Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network at http://www.donorrecovery.org and Donate Life America at http://www.Donatelife.net.


 

Add “Organ Donor” to Your Drivers License

When you receive your New York Drivers License or a non-driver ID, you may request to have the words “Organ Donor” and the organ donor heart symbol displayed. While taking this step is important, the information on your drivers license is not connected with the New York Donate Life Registry at this time. We encourage you to sign up with both. Link to locate a local New York Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.


 

Complete a Healthcare Proxy or Living Will

The New York Health Care Proxy Law allows you to appoint someone you trust – for example, a family member or close friend – to make health care decisions for you if you lose the ability to make decisions yourself. In the healthcare proxy, you may state your wishes regarding organ and tissue donation. You may also complete a Living Will document that clearly spells about your donation decision. Sometimes these documents are prepared with the help of doctor or attorney. Download a healthcare proxy or living will document below.

New York Healthcare Proxy Document – English (PDF)

New York Healthcare Proxy Document – Spanish (PDF)


 

Additional Resources:

Donate Life New York

New York State Department of Health

Compassion and Support – End of Life Planning

DonorRecovery.org Sitemap

 

 

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