An Upcoming Call-to-Action...

April is national Donate Life month! Currently, 100,000 individuals in the United States are awaiting critical organ transplant with countless others in need of the Gift of Life everyday through tissue and community blood donation. You have the capability to help. A single organ and tissue donor has the ability to save and enhance the lives of up to fifty individuals, and community blood donation is your chance to the Gift of Life now - prior to any end of life decisions you may want made. The Gift of Life is always important. In April, we take special notice of what the Gift of Life can do for others, and here is how you can help, and ultimately, help save L.I.F.E.

1) LIST your name in the New York State Donate Life Registry and encourage family and friends.

• In addition to telling your family and loved-ones about your intentions to donate organs and tissue, enrolling in the New York State Donate Life Registry is a most important step, and helps families, hospitals and transplant centers with the donation process.
• Currently, Upstate New York Transplant Services is undergoing a three-year campaign to double the number of enrolled organ and tissue donors in Western New York. If we can register 1,500 new donors with each of them encouraging ten family and friends to register, we will reach our goal.
• Click here for more information on the New York State Donate Life Registry.

2) INFORM family, friends and neigbors about the life-saving value of organ, tissue and community blood donation.

• A single organ and tissue donor has the capability to save up to fifty lives.
• Nearly 2,000 individuals on national transplant waiting lists are under the age of 18.
• Click here for more facts regarding donation.

3) FURTHER the Gift of Life through community blood donation.

• Despite medical advances, donated blood is the only source available to those who need it. More than 4.5 million transfusions take place in the United States and Canada every year. On average, 165 transfusions take place in Western New York alone every day.
• Odds are 1 in 3 that you will be in need of a blood transfusion at some point in your life. Odds are only 1 in 33 however, that you are a regular blood donor.
• Click here for more information regarding the Community Blood Service.

4) ENCOURAGE others to support the Gift of Life at your business, school or group through our Community Partner Program.

• To date, Upstate New York Transplant Services Donate Life Community Partners have hosted fundraisers, registry and awareness drives and community blood drives in support of the organization and organ, tissue and community blood donation.
• The best quality about our Community Partner Program is its adaptability. You determine how best to reach your group regarding organ, tissue and community blood donation awareness and action.
• Click here for more information about our Community Partner Program.