Become a Donor
Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network is the critical link between patients awaiting life-saving and life-changing organ and tissue transplants, and donors who give the Gift of Life through organ donation. FLDRN works closely with our region’s hospitals to ensure that the decisions of selfless donors, in consultation with their families, are carried out in accordance with their wishes.
Learn more about organ donation at the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network website.
Why Become an Organ Donor?
Organ transplants saves thousands of lives each year. Deciding to become an organ donor demonstrates your commitment to renewing the life and health of others in need. You will truly be giving the gift of life.
Register to Be an Organ Donor
There are several ways you can make your intention to be an organ donor known:
- Discuss it with your friends and family. Although this is a difficult and sensitive subject, it will help your loved ones immensely to know your wishes in the event of your untimely death.
- Sign up at the DMV. When you apply for or renew your driver's license in the State of New York, you have the opportunity to indicate whether or not you would like to be an organ donor.
- Voter Registration Form. Check the "New York State Organ and Tissue Donation" box on the voter registration form.
- New York State of Health – Health Insurance Exchange. Residents applying for or renewing health insurance benefits through the state have the opportunity to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor.
- Register to be an Organ Donor. You can also register online with the New York State Donor Registry.
Organ Donation from Living Donors
Transplant surgeons at the University of Rochester Medical Center use a minimally invasive procedure to remove a sections or whole organs from living donors. Each year, hundreds of people in the Greater Rochester area wait for donor organs. Traditionally, deceased donor organs, those removed from a healthy person after a sudden accident or illness, were the only option for patients needing a transplant. Due to a shortage of deceased donor organs, the number of patients waiting for a transplant in the United States has grown dramatically. Transplant patients are forced to endure longer waiting times and may become quite ill before they receive an organ, and in some instances, are too ill to undergo transplant surgery.
Living donor organs lessen the need for deceased donor organs and offer new hope for transplant recipients.