MIDDLETOWN – The Middletown Motor Vehicle Office was packed before noon on Thursday and it was a perfect opportunity for Ellen Dunn of the Town of Wallkill to make her pitch for the people to register as organ donors on their driver’s licenses.
Dunn was a double lung recipient seven years ago. She feels fine now. “Every day is a gift,” she said.
There is a serious need for people to sign on as organ donors. Some 10,000 people in New York State alone are waiting for organ transplants. Nationwide, that number is approaching 122,000.
“Most of our enrollments come through the Department of Motor Vehicles, but we only renew out license once every 10 years, so we are out in the community raising awareness and enrolling people,” Dunn said. “We speak at naturalization ceremonies and communities and raise awareness and have people, at least, discuss with their loved ones whether they want to be an organ donor and also any other end of life care that they would want.”
The county is partnering with LiveOnNY to encourage more people to become organ donors.
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