Whole Lives Are Left to Live

Help Fill that H le

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First Priority = Saving Your Life

Get the facts about organ donation.

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To Give is Divine

Hear what religions say about organ donation.

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Peace of Mind

Eliminate the burden on your family by joining the organ donor registry.

Join The Organ Donor Registry

Life After Donation

Death, by its very nature, is difficult. We have support for families of organ and tissue donors.

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We won't be here forever.

With compassion and respect, the dedicated staff at Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network honor every donor hero, support their grieving families with unwavering care, and passionately fulfill the Donate Life mission that turns tragedy into hope and saves countless lives.

Changing Lives Through Organ Donation

Every day, countless individuals wait and wonder if they will receive the vital organs needed to save their lives. Many more are in need of donor tissue to improve their lives.

By joining the organ donor registry, you hold the power to extend the gift of life to those who still have a whole life to live. The decision you make today to pass life on is a priceless gift to someone’s tomorrow.

Changing Lives Through Organ Donation

In our region alone,

people are waiting for their second chance at life.

Whole Lives Being Lived

These are the stories of loss and hope, pain and joy, and acts of selflessness — the emotions and experiences that are at the heart of organ, eye, and tissue donation and transplantation. These are the stories of whole lives being lived.

Stewards of the Gift: The Heartfelt Work of Honoring Donor Heroes.

With compassion and respect, the dedicated staff at Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network honor every donor hero, support their grieving families with unwavering care, and passionately fulfill the Donate Life mission that turns tragedy into hope and saves countless lives.

Scott’s Story: A Great Heart

Scott Hetsko is living life to the fullest, and he has his donor to thank. Hear Scott’s story.

Beckham & Jake’s Story: Connected for Good

Hear the intertwining journeys of two families — forever connected by one heart and one song.

Denise’s Story: “Two Birthdays”

Denise now has two birthdays: the day she was born and the day she was given a second chance in life with a heart transplant. Hear Denise’s story.

Richard's Story: "I'm Grateful to Be Alive"

Twenty years ago, Richard was fighting for his life. Today, he’s living life to the fullest, thanks to his donor hero. Hear Richard’s story. Click here to view this video in Spanish.

Lucy's Story: “Lucy’s Heart”

Lucy’s gifts of life saved four people, and the impact of her legacy has rippled to thousands more. Hear Lucy’s story.

Share Your Story

Do you have a story to share?
We’d love to hear it.

Facts About Donation

Anyone 16 or Older Can Register

Anyone 16 or older can register as an organ, eye, and tissue donor, regardless of current or past health conditions. There is no maximum age limit to enroll as an organ donor.

Doctors Prioritize Saving Your Life

The first priority for doctors and nurses is always to save your life. Those involved in life-saving care are separate from the medical professionals who perform organ transplants. They do not have access to the donor registry and will not know if you are an organ donor.

Donor Registration Status is Checked Only Upon Death

Electronic donor registries are checked for a person’s organ donor enrollment only at the time of death by authorized organ and tissue recovery agencies. Medical professionals and tests will then determine what organs and tissues can be donated.

Register as a Donor to Document Your Decision

If you chose to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, joining the New York State Donate Life Registry will help ensure your decision is honored.

Talk to Your Family

Making your donation decision now and sharing it with family will spare your loved ones from needing to decide on your behalf if something were to happen to you.

All Major Religions Support Organ Donation

All major religions in the world view organ, eye, and tissue donation as act of charity or make it clear that it is a decision to be left up to the individual or family.

One organ donor can save up to 8 lives.

One eye and tissue donor can heal more than 75 people. This means an organ, eye, and tissue donor can potentially impact the lives of 75 people.

Someone is added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list every 8 minutes.

People die each day in America waiting for a life-saving organ.

People are now waiting for a transplant in this region.

People need organ transplants in New York State.

People waiting for organ transplants in the U.S.

The average wait time to receive a kidney transplant could be up to 5 years.

One organ donor can saveup to 8 lives.

One eye and tissue donor can heal more than 75 people. This means an organ, eye, and tissue donor can potentially impact the lives of 75 people.

Someone is added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list every 9 minutes.

People die each day in America waiting for a life-saving organ.

People are now waiting for a transplant in this region.

People need organ transplants in New York State.

People waiting for organ transplants in the U.S.

3- 3

The average wait time to receive a kidney transplant is 3-5 years.

Whole Lives are Left to Live. Help Fill That H le.

Your choice to join the organ donor registry could be the difference between someone living their whole life or a life cut tragically short.