To the editor:

Feb. 14 was National Donor Day, a day to celebrate all organ, eye and tissue donors who have said “yes” to giving the gift of life. In April 2016, I was fortunate to undergo a kidney transplant from a registered donor.

This year here in New York, Feb. 14 had extra significance because the new Young Adult Enrollment Law took effect. This law allows 16 and 17-year-olds to register their wishes to be donors in New York. Parents still have final authorization until the child turns 18, at which time the registration automatically rolls over to first-person consent, which means state law ensures legal authority to proceed with organ procurement without consent from the family based on a legal indication of the deceased’s consent for donation. This law will significantly help more New Yorkers express their wishes to donate life.

I was awaiting a kidney transplant for two years, which is a relatively short time compared to many other patients in need of organs. And unfortunately, New York state has one of the lowest number of registered organ donors in the nation. So if you are not a registered organ, eye or tissue donor and wish to register, just go to your local Department of Motor Vehicles office and get registered. Your gift of life will bring us closer to ending the wait for lifesaving transplants here in New York.

I would also like to thank all of my family, friends and the local community for all the support I received before, during and since my kidney transplant. Our community is truly amazing, and I’m glad to be part of it.

Debra Schmidt

Saranac Lake