Assemblyman Phil Palmesano: “Truly an inspiration to me and others”
From the Office of NYS Assemblyman Phil Palmesano,
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C-Corning) recently hosted a press conference along with New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder and Jayson White, deputy director of Donate Life New York State to recognize Steuben County Clerk Judy Hunter and employees at the Steuben County DMV on receiving the “Soaring High Award” for registering the highest percentage of new donors during National Donate Life Month in April.
Enroll Today !! New York State Donate Life Registry
“I would like to congratulate and thank Steuben County Clerk Judy Hunter, her entire staff at the DMV and NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Schroeder for all their hard work and dedication to increasing organ donation rates across the state. Your commitment to helping save lives, not only during Donate Life Month but throughout the year, is truly an inspiration to me and others and does not go unnoticed. Thank you so very much,” said Palmesano.
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “I congratulate and thank the Steuben County Clerk’s Office for its outstanding efforts in helping us increase enrollments in the Organ Donor Registry. More than 50% of eligible New Yorkers are currently registered to become organ and tissue donors, and more than 80% of the people who make that choice do it as part of a DMV transaction, so this is a topic near and dear to my heart. There are thousands of people who are currently waiting for a transplant, and every person who enrolls gives them a chance of getting that precious gift of life.”
Steuben County Clerk Judy Hunter said, “We are excited to be the leader again this year with the highest percentage of registered Organ Donors in New York State with more than 80% of Steuben County registered motorists signing up to be an organ donor. Organ Donation is needed 365 days a year, and we strive to bring awareness to this important issue and encourage all who enter our doors to consider organ donation. One simple and thoughtful action is the vital step needed to save another person’s life.”
Kelly Fitzpatrick, Chair Steuben County Legislature said, “The dedication of our DMV staff and our county clerk, Judy Hunter, is to be commended. By continuing to encourage people to sign up in the donate life program, it exemplifies their commitment and caring for the welfare of all of our citizens.”
Donate Life New York State Executive Director Aisha Tator said, “We are truly grateful for Steuben County Clerk Judy Hunter and her dedicated Corning DMV office staff who continue to raise the bar every year as trusted community ambassadors who support Donate Life NYS’s mission of increasing organ, eye and tissue donation. We are equally appreciative of the incredibly generous Steuben County residents who continue to show their commitment to saving and healing lives by faithfully enrolling in the NYS Donate Life Registry. As a result, Steuben County consistently ranks among the top counties statewide in organ donation enrollment. We commend their efforts to save and heal the lives of their fellow New Yorkers.”
“Congratulations to Steuben County Clerk Judy Hunter and the Corning DMV staff for their commitment to working the front lines of donor registration—distinguishing them as New York state’s top performing county-operated DMV during this year’s Donate Life Month,” said Rob Gruenenfelder, executive director of Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, the region’s federally designated organ procurement organization. “The Corning DMV staff’s dedication has been instrumental in ensuring their community can document their personal decisions to give hope to those in need of lifesaving organ transplants and much-needed tissue transplants.”
Facts about New York Organ Donation:
- Nearly 8,000 New Yorkers are on the organ transplant waitlist;
- Nearly 1,000 of those New Yorkers have been waiting for more than five years;
- New York has a donor enrollment rate of 52%, while the national rate is 66%.
- New York has the third-highest need for organ donors but has the third-worst enrollment rate.
- Most importantly, one person who donates at the time of their death can save up to eight lives and impact the lives of 75 others through eye and tissue donation.
“New York’s organ donor enrollment statistics are sobering and unacceptable. With the continued efforts of people like Steuben County Clerk Judy Hunter, Commissioner Schroeder and the dedicated employees at the Steuben County DMV and all of the DMV employees around the state we continue to improve our donor registration numbers. However, we must continue to work together and not just rely on only their success alone, because we CAN and MUST do better,” said Palmesano.
The issue of organ donation is a very personal issue to Palmesano and continues to be an important priority for him. His sister Teresa was a juvenile diabetic, which compromised her health over her lifetime. She was a two-time kidney transplant recipient, first in 2000 from the kindness of a stranger and again in 2006, when Palmesano donated a kidney to his sister. Teresa passed away at the age of 50 in 2013.
Assemblyman Palmesano represents the 132nd District, which includes Schuyler County, Yates County and parts of Chemung County, Seneca County and Steuben County. For more information about Assemblyman Palmesano, Please follow him on Facebook.
