LI assemblyman urges new organ donor law

When he urged others to sign up as organ donors Monday at a Hauppauge news conference, state Assemb. James Conte was speaking from experience.

The Huntington Station Republican has had two kidney transplants.

Now, he is pushing his colleagues in the state Assembly to pass Lauren's Law, a bill that would require anyone applying for, or renewing a driver's license, to first complete the organ donation section on the application.

"We feel people will make the decision to donate life," Conte said at the news conference, held at the Hauppauge Department of Motor Vehicles.

"If we can ask you to vote, we can ask you if you want to be a life saver."

Joining Conte Monday were Assemb. Andrew Raia (R-Northport), Julia Rivera of the New York Donor Network, and heart transplant recipient John Acquaro of Ronkonoma.

More than 110,000 people in the United States are waiting for transplants, according to the New York Donor Network. Of those, the network says, 8,000 live the New York metropolitan area. On average, 18 people die daily while waiting for organ transplants in the United States, and every 11 minutes, another name is added to the waiting list, according to statistics available on the network's website.

Conte said since April is Organ Donation Month, there will be "people in DMVs all around New York answering any questions people have about organ donation."

He urged people to check the "yes" box to donate.

"We know we could do better," Conte said.

The bill, named after 11-year-old heart transplant recipient Lauren Shields of Rockland County, is co-sponsored by state Sen. David Carlucci, (D-Rockland/Orange) and state Assemb. Felix Ortiz (D-Brooklyn). It was unanimously passed by the state Senate Wednesday.

The Assembly has yet to vote on the bill.

"There will be 2.8 million people that are going to have to go to the DMV to renew their license," said Rivera, spokeswoman for the New York Donor Network. "I hope New Yorkers stand up, ready for action."

Acquaro, 57, was diagnosed with a debilitating heart disease 26 years ago. Thanks to a heart transplant in 2007, Acquaro said he has set goals for the future that he never thought possible.

"The doctors said I wasn't going to live," he said. "Before my transplant, I couldn't walk 20 feet, but now I'll be riding my bicycle in the New York City Triathlon."