The Mohawk Valley Health System (MVHS) is partnering with the Center for Donation and Transplant (CDT) to celebrate National Donate Life Month. Events will be held throughout the month of April to showcase the lifesaving benefits of organ and tissue donation and to encourage New Yorkers to enroll in the New York State Donate Life Donor Registry.
In addition to displaying the Donate Life Flag at the Wynn Hospital, MVHS is helping to raise awareness with informational tables, spirit week activities and a rock painting activity. MVHS is also hosting an activity for MVHS employees and volunteers to help make blankets for organ donor families.
MVHS and the CDT work together collaboratively to support families honoring the wishes of registered donors, as well as those faced with making the decision to give the gift of life. In 2025, CDT approached 31 families at MVHS about organ donation; 14 families consented, supporting their loved ones’ wishes to provide a lifesaving gift. Of those, 11 families ultimately helped 27 individuals receive a second chance at life through the recovery of organs, including lungs, hearts, kidneys and livers.
Currently, more than 100,000 people in the United States are waiting for a lifesaving organ transplant. Each year, approximately 5,600 people die while waiting for a donor, and every eight minutes, another person is added to the transplant waiting list. Nationally, more than 85,000 corneal transplants have helped restore sight. Individuals awaiting a transplant may remain on the waiting list for up to five years.
“We continue to work in the community to spread awareness of the need for this life saving gift,” said Susan McKinstry, BSN, RN, CCRN, Intensive Care Educator and CDT liaison.
CDT is a nonprofit organ procurement organization that facilitates organ and tissue donation at 44 hospitals in 30 counties in Upstate New York and Western Vermont. In addition to facilitating donation, CDT works with partner hospitals to educate the community about donation and the registry and share the lifesaving stories of those that have said “yes” to donation.
To register as a donor or for more information about how to get involved, please visit www.cdtnyvt.org.
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