Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network

01/01/2026

It’s always inspiring to ring in the New Year by seeing the OneLegacy Donate Life Rose Parade Float. Even more special is that donor heroes from the Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network region were represented on this beautiful float with individual roses dedicated by donor families in honor of their loved ones. Special thanks to St. Joseph's Health - Syracuse, NY for coordinating a wonderful event in late 2025 to help several donor families dedicate their roses.

Wishing you all a year of living life to the fullest. And as always, our sincere gratitude to organ, eye and tissue donors and their families for their selfless generosity of passing life on.

www.passlifeon.org

12/15/2025

In a cozy winter village, every glowing window warms the next - reminding us that one selfless light can bring hope to many.

So it is with the gift of organ, eye, and tissue donation: a miracle made possible because of selfless donors and families who pass life on, and the dedicated professionals and volunteers who help carry the light forward.

Thank you for guiding these extraordinary gifts of life to help save others.

Sending heartfelt gratitude and warmest wishes to all for a bright holiday season.

~ Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network

12/04/2025

12/01/2025

This weekend, we helped to remember Colin Montesano – a bright light gone far too soon, yet whose legacy lives on as a tissue donor hero. Because of Colin, people from four countries have benefited from 279 tissue and bone grafts. Amazing!

If you haven’t documented your decision to , please consider doing so today. It takes less than 2 minutes to sign up online at www.passlifeon.org. Do it in honor of Colin and all the selfless donors and donor families who made the decision to pass life on to others.

Thank you to the Montesano family for putting on this incredible event!

11/20/2025

It was an honor to once again take part in the Dalton Douglas Dorrity blood drive and Donate Life awareness event held at Adirondack High School. This marked the 9th year of the event since Dalton's sudden passing in 2017. FLDRN's Hospital & Community Development Specialist Kellie Martin (pictured 3rd from left) also had the wonderful opportunity to speak to students about the impact of organ, eye and tissue donation and what it means to be a registered donor.

Special thanks to the Dorrity family for their kindness and generosity in organizing the event and including us in this special day. 💙💚

Learn more about organ donation and register as a donor at www.passlifeon.org

11/07/2025

Did you know a young adult can register as an organ, eye and tissue donor when they obtain a learner permit through the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles? In February 2017, a law took effect allowing 16 and 17 year old New Yorkers to document their decision about donation. Parents do have the right to revoke or amend the enrollment if their child passes away before age 18. Allowing young adults the ability to make their choices about giving the gift of life also gives families an opportunity to talk about this important end-of-life decision.

Live life to the fullest. Help others do the same. Join the donor registry at www.passlifeon.org

Your parents may not be ready, but at 16 you can apply for a learner permit. Learn how: https://dmv.ny.gov/driver-license/prepare-for-and-take-your-permit-test

11/03/2025

In The News: Governor Kathy Hochul signs "The Heart Act" - helping more New Yorkers receive a life-saving organ transplant. Thank you to Donate Life New York State as well the many advocates and elected officials who put forth this important legislation that lifts a ban from patients being listed at multiple transplant centers.

Thanks to your powerful advocacy, we are thrilled to announce signed into law the H.E.A.R.T. (Helping Equal Access to Registration for Transplant) Act! This vital legislation will allow patients to register at multiple transplant centers within New York State simultaneously and improve access to lifesaving organs for all New Yorkers. Our profound thanks to bill sponsors Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, NYS Assemblywoman and Senator April N.M. Baskin ! Together, we’re shaping a stronger, more hopeful future for the nearly 8,000 New Yorkers waiting for a life-changing transplant!

10/15/2025

What is BRA Day? National Breast Reconstruction Awareness (BRA) Day is an initiative to promote education and awareness regarding post-mastectomy breast reconstruction.

Tissue donation transforms lives by enabling breast reconstruction for women after mastectomy. This selfless gift restores confidence, supports healing, and brings hope to countless women on their journey to recovery.

Register as a tissue donor at www.passlifeon.org 🩷

10/10/2025

Looks like a wonderful event! So exciting to see the Campbell and Scadlock families there. Holly and Kim have done so much to bring awareness to the gift of organ and tissue donation through their story and their gorgeous voices. Watch their story here: https://youtu.be/M5hJcjDaluI?si=fhDFtxMpgfqpJKh7

10/09/2025

Liver transplant recipient Larry Billings stands proud at the tent at Mount Olivet Baptist Church's 115th Anniversary Walk-A-Thon held last weekend.

Larry's commitment to his church and to our mission serves as a reminder of the power of second chances and what it means to transplant recipients. For Larry, it's living life to the fullest, practicing his faith and giving back to the community (among other inspiring things!).

We appreciate you, Larry. And congratulations to Mount Olivet Baptist Church on this historical milestone!

Register as an organ, eye and tissue donor at www.passlifeon.org .

10/03/2025

October is National Liver Awareness Month! There are more than 9,000 adults and children in the U.S. currently waiting for a donor liver. Did you know that the liver is the only organ that can regenerate itself? That's what makes living liver donation possible. The donated portion of the liver fully regrows within 4 months and will ultimately regain full function. Incredible!

Learn more about living liver donation on UR Medicine's website: www.urmc.rochester.edu/transplant/liver. UR Medicine's Strong Memorial Hospital is upstate New York's only living donor liver transplant center.

Register your decision to be an organ, eye and tissue donor, and learn more about deceased donation at www.passlifeon.org.

09/26/2025

Alarming trend: Across the country, people are removing their names from donor registries due to misleading news stories that spread fear, not facts, about organ donation. This could cost the lives of patients on a transplant waitlist. Keep in mind, too, that in addition to life saving organs, donor registry removals could also impact the availability of healing donor tissue and site-restoring cornea transplants. Get the facts about donation at www.passlifeon.org .

I'm alive today because of an organ donation. But since July, thousands of potential donors have reversed their decision. It's the wrong move.