RECENT HAPPENINGS in Support of Organ Donation’s All-Important Mission

 

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We Visit Lawmakers in Albany to Highlight Much-Needed Organ Donation Legislation

Even Inclement Weather Couldn’t Disrupt the Ryan Converse Memorial Golf Tournament

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We Visit Lawmakers in Albany to Highlight Much-Needed Organ Donation Legislation

Thank you to our motivated volunteers who joined forces with the New York Alliance for Donation for Legislative Education Day in Albany on May 12, 2015 to highlight the need for important organ, eye and tissue donation legislation.

Donor families, transplant recipients, professionals from organ, eye and tissue agencies and other stakeholders took our message directly to their legislators.

Under consideration were two bills:

• The first was an amendment to Lauren’s Law that would  REQUIRE individuals applying for driver’s licenses, renewals, or non-driver identification at the DMV to check “yes” or “skip this question” when filling out the section of the application regarding organ donation. The original bill, named after Lauren Shields from Rockland County who was 9 when she received a life-saving transplant, was passed in 2012, but did not invalidate an application that left the organ and tissue donation section blank. The amendment was passed in both houses.

• The second bill was the Young Adult Enrollment Legislation that would have provided a way for 16 and 17-year-olds to enroll in the NYS Donate Life Registry by registering their intent to donate. Consent by their parents would be required until the individual reached eighteen years of age, when their “intent” would convert to full legal consent. The Senate passed the legislation and advanced the bill through to the last step in the Assembly process. However, it was not placed on the final Assembly Rules Committee agenda. The New York Alliance for Donation, along with FLDRN and other stakeholders, will continue to make every possible effort to get this legislation introduced again and passed during the legislative session next year.

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Even Inclement Weather Couldn’t Disrupt the Ryan Converse Memorial Golf Tournament

Rain didn’t stop 150 golfers from hitting the links and having a great time at the 5th Annual Ryan Converse Memorial Golf Tournament on June 12, 2015 in Watertown.

Ryan passed away on July 2, 2010 at the age of 21 and gave the gift of life through organ donation. The memorial golf tournament is a way for family and friends who loved him to keep his memory alive, and it provides an opportunity to give back to the community, according to his parents, Joe and Vicki Converse of Watertown.

The popular event raised funds for Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, USO Fort Drum and the Watertown Urban Mission’s critical needs program.

A BIG thank you to Joe and Vicki Converse for their incredible kindness and continued generosity in supporting our organization and mission. It’s our honor and privilege to take part in this event.

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