Albany, NY – In conjunction with the observance of National Donate Life Month, Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-119) joined her statewide colleagues today in proclaiming April 2026 as Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month in the State of New York, passing an annual resolution which seeks to focus attention on, and raise awareness of, both the importance of and increasing need for organ and tissue donations nationwide, while also expressing gratitude for those who have already given the gift of life.
“Every day, thousands of New Yorkers are waiting for a second chance at life,” said Assemblywoman Buttenschon. “Organ and living donations are a selfless act that possess the power to save and enhance dozens of lives. Increasing awareness and participation around donation opportunities is essential to closing the gap between those in need and available donors.”
The need for organ donation is both real and urgent. Nationally, the current waiting list for organ donations exceeds 103,000 individuals, with thousands more in urgent need of tissue donations; in New York State alone, more than 8,000 individuals remain on transplant waiting lists. As the number of people awaiting transplants continues to far exceed the number of registered donors, the gap grows wider each year, with new names added to
waiting lists daily. Recognizing this critical need for organ, eye, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation, Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month provides an important opportunity to educate and encourage New Yorkers to learn more about donation and help save the lives of those awaiting vital transplants.
While no one knows when they or a loved one may need a transplant to survive, or tissue to repair injury or treat disease, many New Yorkers have taken selfless action by registering as organ and tissue donors, setting powerful examples that may save or enhance the lives of others. Nevertheless, a significant shortage of donors persists, and
the disparity between those registered and those in need continues to grow each year.
To further highlight the importance of organ and tissue donation, Assemblywoman Buttenschon alongside her colleagues joined Donate Life New York State, advocates, and medical professionals this morning for a press conference at the State Capitol hosted by Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano. The morning’s event underscored the life-saving impact of organ and tissue donation and called
attention to ongoing legislative efforts aimed at increasing participation in the New York State Donate Life Registry.
Emphasizing the importance of expanding donor participation, lawmakers at the conference called attention to the “Doorways to Donation Act” (A.10299-A) currently in the Assembly Health Committee. Introduced by Assemblymember Yudelka Tapia, and Co-Sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon, this measure, similar to that seen during New York State drivers and non-driver ID transactions, seeks to build upon New York’s existing
efforts to expand public outreach efforts surrounding organ and tissue donation, by expanding access to enroll in the Donate Life Registry through the integration of the optional opportunity to enroll in donor registration into the State’s tax filing process.
Co-sponsored by Assemblywoman Buttenschon, today’s event further drew attention to Assembly Bill A.6824B, introduced and passed by Assemblywoman Woerner earlier this month, which seeks to address critical gaps in the eye and tissue donation referral process in order to expand the number of eligible donations statewide. Unlike major organ donations, eye and tissue donations can often be initiated up to 24 hours after death and have the potential to help more than 75 individuals through the donation of corneas, skin, bone, heart valves, tendons, ligaments, and blood vessels, restoring sight, healing injuries, and saving lives.
However, while federal law requires hospitals to refer all deaths of registered donors to federally designated organ procurement organizations, no such mandate currently exists for coroners and medical examiners who operate outside a hospital setting. This discrepancy has created a significant missed opportunity to identify and facilitate
potential donations, particularly as many eligible tissue donors fall under their jurisdiction. Assembly Bill A.6824B, would help close this gap by strengthening coordination between coroners, medical examiners, and procurement organizations, encouraging the development of consistent protocols and agreements to ensure that all potential opportunities for donation are fully evaluated. By increasing these critical referrals and improving collaboration, this legislation, which now awaits Senate consideration, aims to better meet the growing need for life-saving and life-enhancing transplants across New York State. “It [the Gift of Life] is one of the most profound gifts a person can give, the chance for someone else to live. No one knows when they or someone they love may need a transplant, but with more than 8,000 New Yorkers waiting for a transplant today, the need has never been greater, and every registration makes a difference. I urge every New Yorker to take a moment this April to learn about organ and tissue donation and consider registering as a donor. To those who have already registered and to those who will, thank you. Together, we can close the gap between those in need and those willing to help.”
Residents are encouraged to register as organ and tissue donors through the New York State Donate Life Registry online, at the Department of Motor Vehicles, or at community events across the state.
About Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon:
Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon proudly represents New York’s 119th Assembly District, encompassing the cities of Utica and Rome as well as the Towns of Floyd, Deerfield, Marcy, and Whitestown. From a lifelong educator and former Dean of Public Service and Emergency Preparedness at Mohawk Valley Community College, to a small family farm owner, Buttenschon brings decades of experience advocating for equity, access, and opportunity across public health, education, agriculture, and emergency services. In the Assembly, she serves as Chair of the Committee on Small Business and as a member of the Agriculture, Education, Higher Education, and Veterans’ Affairs Committees, where she champions bipartisan solutions to improve quality of life. Her work reflects a steadfast commitment to ensuring that every family in her district and beyond can live with dignity,
support, and a voice in their future.
