Conte Awards NYS Organ Donor Medal of Honor

Long Island Press Release
Presented to Nassau County’s Rick Bellando
 
(Long Island, NY) Assemblyman Jim Conte (R,I,C,WF-Huntington Station) presented the New York State Organ Donor Medal of Honor to Rick Bellando, executive director of the Nassau County Independence Party. Mr. Bellando, a kidney donor, was honored for his selfless act at the Independence Party New Year reception held at Oheka Castle in Huntington.

“As a two-time kidney transplant recipient, I was honored to present Mr. Bellando with the New York State Organ Donor Medal of Honor for his inspiring and courageous act,” said Conte. “There is a large and growing need for organ and tissue donors, and I am hopeful that Mr. Bellando’s actions will encourage more New Yorkers to enroll as donors to help save lives and increase the quality of life for the thousands of people awaiting a transplant.”

“People like Chairman Rick Bellando and Assemblyman Jim Conte are heroes to us all,” said Assemblyman Joseph S. Saladino. “They motivate us with their strength and generosity. Chairman Bellando sets one of the best examples I have ever seen, because the gift of life cannot be surpassed by anything. He is an extraordinary leader who reminds us all of just how important the donation of life can be.”

“I cannot thank Mr. Bellando enough for his courageous actions in choosing to give life and become an organ and tissue donor,” said Assemblyman Michael Montesano (R,I,C-Glen Head). “It is an honor to highlight Mr. Bellando’s organ donation and use it as an encouragement for New Yorkers to sign up and save lives.”

“It was a privilege to honor Mr. Bellando for his selfless act to save the life of someone in need,” said Assemblyman Ed Ra (21st Assembly District). “His words and actions are backed up by his courageous story, and should serve as a reminder that every New Yorker can make the true sacrifice and save lives by becoming an organ donor.”

“Rick Bellando is a dedicated, outstanding and selfless individual committed to helping save lives. It is an honor to be here with my Assembly colleagues to recognize him. Every 14 minutes someone is added to the organ-transplant waiting list, and we are lucky to have people like Mr. Bellando who step up and help these individuals. I can only hope that more people will follow his example and become an organ donor today,” said Assemblyman Brian Curran (14th A.D. – Lynbrook).

“Organ donation saves lives and honoring Mr. Bellando for his selfless donation is the least we can do,” said Assemblyman Tom McKevitt (R,C,I-East Meadow). “With inspiration from men like Mr. Bellando, we can highlight the ever increasing need for organ and tissues donors. I encourage all New Yorkers to enroll in the living saving organ and tissue donation program.”

Assemblyman Conte noted that there are currently more than 110,000 people waiting for organ transplants in the United States, 8,000 in the New York metropolitan area alone.