Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network

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.

09/18/2025

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.

09/17/2025

🌟 Celebrating a Decade of Life and Legacy! 🌟

In September of 2015, Scott Hetsko received a life-saving heart transplant at UR Medicine after a grueling battle with cardiac sarcoidosis. That heart came from the selfless gift of 26-year-old U.S. Army Scout Shawn McMullen, a registered organ donor whose generosity changed everything.

Ten years later, Scott is living life to the fullest - back at work, cherishing time with his wife and kids, and living with profound gratitude. But what truly touches our hearts is how Scott and the McMullen family have turned tragedy into triumph. Their advocacy has sparked countless conversations about the power of organ donation right here in our community, reminding us that one decision can ripple through generations.

If Scott's journey moves you, consider registering as a donor. Learn more about organ, eye and tissue donation and sign up to be a donor hero like Shawn at www.passlifeon.org. We encourage you to also visit Shawn's Heroes For Life. 💙💚

Thank you 13 WHAM ABC for this great story!

This week marks a milestone for 13WHAM meteorologist Scott Hetsko.

09/15/2025

Engaging with the community and getting the facts out about organ, eye and tissue donation is more important than ever. Some of our incredible volunteers have been busy organizing our participation in big events to do just that.

Over the past few weekends, we've had the honor of taking part in Senator Jeremy Cooney's End of Summer BBQ, the National Kidney Foundation - Upstate and Western NY's Kidney Walk and the India Community Center of Rochester, NY's India Fest. We can't thank these leaders and organizations enough for welcoming the Donate Life table at their gatherings.

We're especially grateful to volunteers Larry Billings, Richard and Christine Perez, Aimee Vollmer and Jody Ferrara for their hard work at these events and dedication to this mission. All of these wonderful people have a deeply personal connection to organ and tissue donation - making their conversations with the public so inspiring.

Thank you all!
Learn the facts about donation and register as an organ, eye and tissue donor at: www.passlifeon.org

09/04/2025

Steuben County DMV wins the Soaring High Award from Donate Life New York State. They enrolled the highest number of organ, eye and tissue donors during the 2025 National Donate Life Month. Congratulations!

09/02/2025

This , we’re sending a huge THANK YOU to our local DMVs for their incredible work supporting the mission! 👏 By offering the donor registration opportunity, DMV staff are helping to save and heal countless lives every day...making them heroes in our communities. 💚💙

08/21/2025

Americans should remain confident in the effectiveness and preeminence of the U.S. transplant system. One truth remains unchanged: Every donor has the power to transform multiple lives.

08/20/2025

Organ and tissue donation is a life-changing act of generosity that can save up to 8 lives and improve countless others. Every transplant represents hope, love and a second chance in life for someone in need. This is Denise's story.

By signing up to be a donor, you're making a powerful choice to leave a legacy of compassion. Let's focus on the incredible impact of this selfless act and encourage more people to learn the facts about organ donation and say "yes" to saving lives! Learn more and register as a donor at www.passlifeon.org

08/14/2025

Born in New York City in 1936, Dr. Clive Callender decided at seven that he wanted to pursue a career in medicine. In 1969, Dr. Callendar joined the faculty of Howard University School of Medicine. In 1974, he founded the Howard University Hospital Transplant Center, a first among historically black medical schools. He became only the 3rd African American transplant surgeon in the country at that time. With the mission of enhancing organ donation awareness and reducing the number of patients awaiting transplant in minority communities, he founded the National Minority Organ Tissue Transplant Education Program (MOTTEP) in 1992. Today, Dr. Callender is still an active educator at Howard University 💙💚

05/04/2025

Day in and day out, our incredible hospital partners and donation champions work tirelessly to support the mission. Let's give a shout out to some of these Donate Life Champions from Upstate Medical University and Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital. On behalf of FLDRN and our Upstate In-House Coordinator, Kris Ferrara (pictured), thank you to these dedicated healthcare heroes! 💙💚

04/30/2025

Today we join in honoring organ, eye and tissue donor heroes for Donor Remembrance Day. Loved ones across the country have "planted" virtual forget-me-not flowers to symbolize that these heroes and their gifts will always be remembered. Visit the Donor Remembrance Garden here: https://aopo.org/donor-remembrance-day/donor-hero-garden/

We also want to convey our sincere appreciation for the families who selflessly looked beyond their own loss and chose to help others through donation.

Note for donor families: The dedication submission form will remain open until May 9, 2025, and the virtual garden will be available year-round for families to view.