Leaders of Faith to Raise Awareness on the Need for Organ and Tissue Donors
In honor of National Donor Sabbath Weekend in November, religious leaders will educate the public about organ and tissue donation.
ALBANY, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Rabbis, clergy, imams and other leaders of faith across the state will join forces with Donate Life New York State, along with other state, national and local organizations to raise awareness about the need for organ donors during National Donor Sabbath Weekend, which takes place on Nov. 9-11.
During this annual three-day observance, religious leaders will share ways that congregation members and faith communities at large can save lives by becoming registered organ donors. National Donor Sabbath Weekend, supported by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Health Resources and Services Administration, takes place two weeks before Thanksgiving.
"The sabbath for religious faiths around the world is a time for reflection, rest and thanksgiving. It can also be a time for giving to those in need," said Aisha Tator, Executive Director of Donate Life New York State, a nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing organ, eye and tissue donation throughout the state.
"No one knows when they or a loved one may need an organ transplant to survive or tissue to repair an injury or to treat disease," Tator added. "Participation from leaders of all major religions is critical in spreading the message about this dire need. People look to their faith leaders for guidance, particularly when making end-of-life decisions such as those involving organ donation."
New York State has the third highest need for donors in the country, yet the second lowest percentage of registered donors. Out of the estimated 9,400 New Yorkers on the waiting list, more than 1,700 have been waiting for life-saving transplants for more than five years. Each year, approximately 500 men, women and children in the state die or are removed from the waiting list because they become too ill to transplant due to the shortage of donors.
"There comes a time when we all must leave our earthly bodies behind. In this great sadness, we have boundless opportunities to bring new hope and life to so many," said Rev. Bruce Cornwell of the Community Reformed Church of Colonie.
New Yorkers ages 16 and older can easily enroll online by visiting donatelife.ny.gov/register. Registering ensures that individuals' wishes about donation after death will be clearly known and carried out. For more information, visit www.donatelifenys.org. Other ways to enroll include downloading, completing and then mailing or emailing the paper form at donatelife.ny.gov/download-forms.
About Donate Life New York State
Donate Life New York State (NYS), formerly New York Alliance for Donation, is a not-for-profit with a mission to increase organ, eye and tissue donation in New York State through collaborative advocacy, education, promotion, and research. Our goal is to ensure a transplant for every New Yorker in need. Donate Life New York State is comprised of the four organ procurement organizations, four eye and tissue banks and/or processors, and affiliates, including dedicated donation and transplantation professionals.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/DonateLifeNYS Twitter: @DonateLifeNYS
CONTACT: Aisha Tator, Donate Life NYS
[email protected], (518) 326-3237
SOURCE Donate Life New York State
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