To the editor:

Adirondack Health and the Center for Donation and Transplant (CDT) are teaming up to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye and tissue donors to honor those that saved lives through the gift of donation.

Despite the challenges that came with COVID-19, CDT had an incredible year. In 2020, over 105 donor families said “yes” to organ donation. This represented 40% growth since 2018, helping to provide life-saving transplants to 200 organ recipients — a record high for upstate New York and western Vermont. During that same time, nearly 500 donor families said “yes” to tissue donation. This represented a 400% increase since 2018. Because one tissue donor can enhance the lives of up to 75 people through tissue grafts, over 36,000 people will now benefit through healing, restored mobility and eyesight.

Amidst the pandemic, the need for donation was at its highest. Despite unprecedented daily challenges, our hospital partners in New York, Vermont and Massachusetts met the need by supporting donation efforts more than ever. Together, we have saved more lives through donation and transplant than any other year on record. Now, with National Donate Life Month here, we have a fantastic opportunity to build upon 2020 through celebrating our donor heroes and educating the community to act and register. We hope you will join us in spreading the word about organ and tissue donation.

Please take a few minutes and add your name to our state’s donor registry. Visit donatelife.ny.gov to find out how to donate life in New York state. Someday you may save a life!

On behalf of the Organ Donation Awareness Team at Adirondack Health, thank you for your time and consideration towards this life saving cause.

Sincerely,

Betsy Fuller

Saranac Lake