Bill Text: NY J02479 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 14, 2020, as Donor Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2020-01-22 - ADOPTED [J02479 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J02479-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 2479

BY: Senator RIVERA

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        February  14, 2020, as Donor Day in the State of New
        York, in conjunction with the observance of National
        Donor Day

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of  this  Legislative  Body  to  recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues
that  affect  the  lives  of  citizens  of New York State and across the
Nation; and

  WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and  in  full  accord  with  its
long-standing  traditions,  this  Legislative  Body  is  justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 14,  2020,  as
Donor  Day  in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National Donor Day; and

  WHEREAS, National  Donor  Day  was  started  in  1998  by  the  U.S.
Department  of  Health  and  Human  Services  and  many nonprofit health
organizations  to  raise  awareness  for  organ,  eye,  tissue,  marrow,
platelet, and blood donation; and

  WHEREAS,  National  Donor  Day  is a time to focus on five points of
life:  organs, tissues, marrow, platelets, and blood by participating in
blood/marrow drives or donor registration events; and

  WHEREAS, It is also a day to recognize our loved ones who have given
the gift of donation, have received a donation, are  currently  waiting,
or did not receive an organ in time; and

  WHEREAS,  There is a tremendous need for organ donations in New York
State with approximately 9,500 New Yorkers on waiting lists as  of  2019
as the need for organ, tissue and blood donations far exceed the supply;
and

  WHEREAS, More than 500 New Yorkers died in 2018 because an organ did
not become available in time to save their lives; and

  WHEREAS,  One  person who donates their organs (heart, lungs, liver,
kidneys, pancreas and intestines) can save up to eight lives; and

  WHEREAS, A tissue donor (corneas, bone, skin, heart valves, tendons,
veins, etc.) can improve 12 or more lives by restoring eyesight, helping
fight infections in burn patients and preventing the  loss  of  mobility
and disability; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is possible to donate a kidney, partial liver, lung or
pancreas as a living donor, and in fact, approximately 40% of organ  and
tissue donations are from living donors; and

  WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness and
educational  initiatives  offered regarding the decision to donate one's
organs, eyes, tissues, marrow, platelet, and/or blood and more  must  be

done  to increase activity at the local, State and national levels; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 14,  2020,  as
Donor  Day  in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance
of National Donor Day; and be it further

  RESOLVED, That a copy of this  Resolution,  suitably  engrossed,  be
transmitted  to  The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.