"Speak Out" with Assemblywoman Sandy Galef Presents "Long Live New York" through Organ Donation

Assemblywoman Sandy Galef speaks with Helen Irving, President and CEO of LiveOnNY and Roxanne Watson, heart transplant recipient, donation advocate and volunteer about the importance of organ donation and how each and every New Yorker may help to save multiple lives by signing up on the organ donation registry.

“It is vital that we understand the importance of organ donation so that our state can move up on the ladder of states with the highest donor registry,” said Assemblywoman Sandy Galef. “New York State adults register themselves as organ and tissue donors at less than half the rate of adults nationwide, but the need for lifesaving organs in New York State is among the highest in the country. We need to help get the word out to save New Yorkers’ lives.”

Irving reaches out to viewers to dispel many myths about organ donation and describes a special duality: not only may an organ donor live on through his or her recipients, but the recipients have a chance to live on as well. Watson describes her journey from her silent heart attack in May 2006, through her 104 days bedridden in the hospital, to July 2010 when she received the heart of Coast Guardsman and Fireman Michael Bovill, who she honors every day through her ardent advocacy for organ donor enrollment in New York State. Irving highlights a poll taken by New Yorkers which revealed that 83% were supporters of organ donation but only 23% had signed up on the registry. One myth Irving dispels is how there is no age barrier for organ donors. The oldest donor to date was 92 years old. She also says how assumptions should not be made by people who may have a previous medical condition thinking they are unable to donate. Currently, there are approximately 500 patients waiting for a transplant in the Hudson Valley area. Most of those patients have an 8 to 10 year wait. Watson proudly states that she has enabled about 7,000 people to enroll for organ donation, which she attributes to Bovill’s generosity.

Tune in to cable television on the following days and times to learn more.

“Speak Out: Long Live New York Through Organ Donation” airs as follows:

Cablevision

Airs: March 18, 25 and April 1, 8

Ossining and Peekskill airs on Channel 15: Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.

(Briarcliff, Ossining, Scarborough, Buchanan, Cortlandt, Croton, Garrison, Montrose, Peekskill, Philipstown South, Verplanck)

Wappingers Falls airs on Channel 21: Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.

(Cold Spring, Philipstown North)

Yorktown airs on Channel 74: Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m.

(Lake Peekskill, Putnam Valley)

Comcast

Airs: March 18, 25 and April 1

Carmel, Kent, Mahopac & Putnam Valley Channel 8: Wednesdays at 7:30

Verizon FiOS Customers

Please check your local listings for air times.