April 1, 2008

 Dear Resident:

 It is with great pleasure that I announce that my office has joined the U.S. Health and Human Services’ Workplace Partnership for Life campaign, a nationwide effort to increase the number of organ and tissue donors in the United States and specifically, in the Greater New York metropolitan area.

 The goal of this partnership is to educate Harrison residents and their families about organ and tissue donation and get them registered.

 I have been working closely with the New York Organ Donor Network to increase enrollment in the New York State Organ and Tissue Donor Registry and to raise awareness among Harrison residents.  All information is maintained by the State Department of Health to record one’s intent to donate and is strictly confidential.

 As professionals, we can collectively help to save more lives through organ and tissue donation.  Through this cause, we can help 8,000 New Yorkers in the metropolitan area, who are awaiting organ transplants and thousands more, who need tissue transplants.  By saying “yes” to donation, you could be giving someone the gift of life.

 Organ donation has been a big part of my life. I made a promise that if I ever became a public official I would do everything I could to promote the donation of life and now is my chance. I received a kidney transplant 8 years ago when I was a senior in high school. My mother also received a kidney transplant from my father in 1992.

 Organ and tissue donation saves lives and I wholeheartedly endorse its cause. Please join me on Monday April 21^st at 7pm in Town Hall when I co-host an informational session with the NY Organ Donor Network. Also, on Friday April 25^th I will be co-hosting a blood drive with Chief Joseph Bilotto of the Harrison EMS at EMS Headquarters on the corner of North Street and Pleasant Ridge Road.

 For more info click on the link below to take you to the New York Organ Donor Network website and Donate Life!  

Regards,

Joe

http://www.donatelifeny.org/