County clerk puts stamp on Organ Donor Month
Drivers getting new and renewed licenses at DMV may consent to become donors
By Jim Planck
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
CATSKILL — April is National Donate Life Month, and participating in that recognition is the New York Organ Donor Network, with its theme, “Save lives — Sign up to be an organ donor.”
Greene County Clerk Michael Flynn said Wednesday few, if any, programs offer a greater spiritual return than the organ donor program.
“The sadness of one person leaving,” said Flynn, “creates the ability for another person — often a young person — to lead a long and healthy life.”
In recognition of April’s designation, Flynn noted that drivers getting license renewals and new licenses at Greene County Department of Motor Vehicles in Catskill can opt to have their consent printed right on the front of the license with the standard identification material.
“There is a provision on their renewal to accomplish that,” he said. “They can also amend it (existing licenses).”
Flynn also explained, however, that the program unfortunately often remains out of people’s thoughts until its necessity enters their life.
“The organ donor program,” said Flynn, “becomes very important to somebody when either they themselves or a family member needs an organ to continue to live.”
“But when you don’t find yourself in that position,” he said, “you don’t think about it that much.”
Flynn stressed both the importance and the necessity of pro-actively addressing the matter.
“It requires an action ahead of time,” he said.
Noting that life has its uncertainties, Flynn added, “If you wait (to sign up), it may not get done, and then the organs go to waste.”
“And with the miracles of modern medicine,” Flynn said, “(transplant) procedures that were unthinkable a couple years ago are now possible -- and organ donations made that possible.”
In addition to enrolling in the program through DMV, donors can also join through the Web site of NYS Department of Health, which is the agency responsible for maintaining the Donate Life Registry.
One important distinction is that people who enrolled before 2008 -- unless they have since addressed the matter -- are actually not enrolled in the Donate Life Registry, but instead in its predecessor registry, called the “Life, Pass It On” Registry, which has a lesser legal standing and does not convey consent, but only intent under the law, and which can sometimes lead to challenges after a person’s demise.
The law passing the newer registry was adopted by the state in 2006, with the actual registry up and running in 2008, so it is somewhat unclear which register those who signed up between those years are enrolled in.
NYS DOH does, however, note that those enrolled in the earlier program, who have no already done so, need to re-enroll in the Donate Life Registry if they wish their decision to donate organs to be legally binding after demise.
This is because enrollment in the previous registry is not automatically transferred to the new one, so the individual must actively enroll to be listed.
It is also DOH that -- should a person wish to change their bequest or even be removed totally from the list -- also performs that function.
For more information on becoming an enrolled organ donor with the Donate Life Registry during April’s designation as National Donate Life month, contact Greene County DMV at (518) 719-3280, or visit www.nydmv.state.ny.us; or www.nyhealth.gov; or www.donatelifeny.org.
Greene County Clerk Michael Flynn said Wednesday few, if any, programs offer a greater spiritual return than the organ donor program.
“The sadness of one person leaving,” said Flynn, “creates the ability for another person — often a young person — to lead a long and healthy life.”
In recognition of April’s designation, Flynn noted that drivers getting license renewals and new licenses at Greene County Department of Motor Vehicles in Catskill can opt to have their consent printed right on the front of the license with the standard identification material.
“There is a provision on their renewal to accomplish that,” he said. “They can also amend it (existing licenses).”
Flynn also explained, however, that the program unfortunately often remains out of people’s thoughts until its necessity enters their life.
“The organ donor program,” said Flynn, “becomes very important to somebody when either they themselves or a family member needs an organ to continue to live.”
“But when you don’t find yourself in that position,” he said, “you don’t think about it that much.”
Flynn stressed both the importance and the necessity of pro-actively addressing the matter.
“It requires an action ahead of time,” he said.
Noting that life has its uncertainties, Flynn added, “If you wait (to sign up), it may not get done, and then the organs go to waste.”
“And with the miracles of modern medicine,” Flynn said, “(transplant) procedures that were unthinkable a couple years ago are now possible -- and organ donations made that possible.”
In addition to enrolling in the program through DMV, donors can also join through the Web site of NYS Department of Health, which is the agency responsible for maintaining the Donate Life Registry.
One important distinction is that people who enrolled before 2008 -- unless they have since addressed the matter -- are actually not enrolled in the Donate Life Registry, but instead in its predecessor registry, called the “Life, Pass It On” Registry, which has a lesser legal standing and does not convey consent, but only intent under the law, and which can sometimes lead to challenges after a person’s demise.
The law passing the newer registry was adopted by the state in 2006, with the actual registry up and running in 2008, so it is somewhat unclear which register those who signed up between those years are enrolled in.
NYS DOH does, however, note that those enrolled in the earlier program, who have no already done so, need to re-enroll in the Donate Life Registry if they wish their decision to donate organs to be legally binding after demise.
This is because enrollment in the previous registry is not automatically transferred to the new one, so the individual must actively enroll to be listed.
It is also DOH that -- should a person wish to change their bequest or even be removed totally from the list -- also performs that function.
For more information on becoming an enrolled organ donor with the Donate Life Registry during April’s designation as National Donate Life month, contact Greene County DMV at (518) 719-3280, or visit www.nydmv.state.ny.us; or www.nyhealth.gov; or www.donatelifeny.org.
1 COMMENTS:
I have been placing a donor on my DL no matter where I live. I want to donate every functional part I have, including skin for burnt victims, bone marrow, etc.
I was recently diagnosed with COPD, HBP, diabetes, asthma, emphysema ( I am oxygen dependent), I also have swollen liver, lungs are no good, (smoked for 34 yrs.. I have skin and good kidneys, intestines are funtional, my eyes can see w/corrective lenses. My question is how do I go about making arrangements? I choose DNR. I live in Yosemite Nat'l Park. I want them all to where to take me and I want the remains, to be transported to the nearest School Of Medicine, for future Drs to learn all they can from my cadaver. Who will pay for all this, where do I get certifications for all thus?
My email address: illinoisnoisbandit1@yahoo.com
Please contact me via email. Before I give my name, my social worker sent me the brochure for MedCure to donate the whole body for surgical research and they pay for all costs.
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