Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network

05/01/2026

Sending our thanks to Talon's mom, Crystal, for sharing her son's Gift of Life story and what it means to her knowing he's a donor hero.

We're humbled each and every day by families who turn their own tragedy into hope for others. This is the power of organ, eye and tissue donation.

For more information about donation and to register as a donor visit: www.passlifeon.org

More than 8,000 people in New York State are on the waiting list for an organ transplant. Last year at Strong Hospital, about 250 people donated life, one of those donors was 17-year-old Talon Gracioso

04/30/2026

Series: Celebrating National Donate Life Month Across Our Region
Today's Spotlight: Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic

One thing is for sure: there's no shortage of creativity at Clifton Springs Hospital. Check out their "Chalk the Walk"! The best part? The artists included "Donate Life" in various languages, including German (lower left), French (lower right) and Catalan (middle right). Great job / goot ge-macht / bravo / bona feina, Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic! 💚💙

04/30/2026

The most special way to close out is with Association of Organ Procurement Organizations - AOPO's beautiful Donor Remembrance Day tribute. Lives are saved, vision restored and bodies healed because of the selfless heroes who choose to pass life on through organ, eye, and tissue donation.

If you're a donor family and wish to participate, it's not too late. The dedication submission form will remain open until May 8, 2026, and the virtual garden will be available year-round for families to view.

𝗧𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗶𝘀 #𝗗𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗥𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗗𝗮𝘆!

Join us as we come together to honor and celebrate Donor Heroes who have given the gift of life through organ, eye, and tissue donation. The forget-me-not flower is a symbol of donors and a reminder that their selfless gift and legacy will always be remembered.

Visit the Donor Hero Remembrance Garden and “plant” a forget-me-not flower for your Donor Hero today 💙💚 Those who submit a tribute will also receive forget-me-not seeds by mail to plant in their hero’s honor.

🌼 https://aopo.org/donor-remembrance-day

04/29/2026

Series: Celebrating National Donate Life Month Across Our Region
Today's Spotlight: New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder, the Madison County Clerk's Office and Oneida County Clerk

Today, we want to express our deepest gratitude to New York State DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder for his incredible support of Donate Life New York State and the lifesaving mission of organ, eye, and tissue donation. This message feels especially meaningful today, as tomorrow marks Commissioner Schroeder’s last day before his retirement.

We had the honor of seeing Commissioner Schroeder at a event at the Utica DMV in Oneida County earlier this month. The top photo shows those on hand for the special gathering (L to R): Senator Joseph A. Griffo, Michael Keville (Madison County Clerk), Kellie Martin (Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network), Mary Finegan (Oneida County Clerk) and Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder. Second photo (L to R): Sam Talarico (First Deputy of Oneida County DMV), Kellie Martin (FLDRN), Mary Finegan (Oneida County Clerk), and Cathy Sharkey (Oneida County DMV).

On behalf of everyone at Finger Lakes Donor Recovery Network, thank you, Commissioner Schroeder, for your leadership, your commitment, and your partnership in helping to save and improve lives across New York State and even beyond its borders. We wish you a happy, healthy, and fulfilling retirement!

04/29/2026

Series: Celebrating National Donate Life Month Across Our Region
Today's Spotlight: Crouse Health

It's "Wellness Wednesday" at Crouse Health and we're so grateful to have taken part in this event throughout the month of April for . Thank you for helping to bring awareness for organ, eye and tissue donation!

04/29/2026

Series: Celebrating National Donate Life Month Across Our Region
Today's Spotlight: Clifton Springs Hospital & Clinic and Newark-Wayne Community Hospital

To say these two Rochester Regional Health hospitals have taken to the next level is an understatement! From rock painting, to contests, and so much in between, Clifton Springs and Newark Wayne hospitals have once again shown their outstanding community spirit and dedication to the Donate Life mission. We can't thank the teams enough for their support!

04/28/2026

Series: Celebrating National Donate Life Month Across Our Region
Today's Spotlight: Rome Health

Shout out to Rome Hospital for their participation in . We had a wonderful time talking with staff and visitors. Plus, it's always fun when a fabulous volunteer, like Loren, joins us! Pictured here is Loren with Kellie, one of our Hospital and Community Development Specialists.

04/25/2026

Series: Celebrating National Donate Life Month Across Our Region
Today's Spotlight: University of Rochester Medicine / Strong & Golisano Children's Hospitals

So grateful for the incredible support at Strong and Golisano Children's Hospitals during National Donate Life Month! They went above and beyond by creating custom Donate Life Month t-shirts featuring this year’s powerful theme: “Leave a Legacy” (with trees symbolizing life, connection, and the lasting impact of donation). Many clinical staff proudly wore their new shirts on National Blue & Green Day, filling the halls with energy, hope, and a beautiful display of blue and green spirit.

And what would be without the FABULOUS volunteers setting up the Donate Life table in the lobby? We so appreciate their dedication to sharing information about donation and donor registration to hospital guests and staff.

It was a wonderful reminder of how organ, eye, and tissue donation truly connects us all and leaves a legacy that saves and transforms lives.

Thank you Strong Memorial Hospital , Golisano Children's Hospital Friends of Strong Memorial Hospital !

04/24/2026

Series: Celebrating National Donate Life Month Across Our Region
Today's Spotlight: Upstate Medical University Upstate Golisano Children's Hospital

To say it's been a spirited at Upstate Medical and Upstate Children's Hospitals would be an understatement. We shared our Facebook Live from their Blue & Green Day event on 4/10 - which was so inspiring. Here are a few more pics from that day, as well as from Donate Life Night at a Syracuse Crunch game. What a blast! BIG thanks to Upstate for inviting us to join in on the fun. 👏🏼💙💚

04/23/2026

04/23/2026

Series: Celebrating National Donate Life Month Across Our Region
Today's Spotlight: Guthrie Cortland Hospital - The Guthrie Clinic

It may look simple, but the impact a single conversation at a Donate Life table could be life-changing. That's why we're so grateful to Guthrie Cortland Hospital for bringing awareness to their hospital community about the impact of donation and donor registration. Thank you for your partnership and commitment to saving and healing lives!

Want more information about organ, eye and tissue donation? Visit www.passlifeon.org