The Oswego County Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Oswego County Health Department join forces once again to remind residents of the importance of organ, eye and tissue donation in recognition of National Donate Life Month in April.

Across New York State, the need for donors is great as there are currently 7,962 patients in New York State on the national organ transplant waitlist, according to Donate Life America. Only 35% of eligible state residents are registered to become organ donors, compared to the national average of 58%.

“Here in Oswego County, our number of registered donors increased by 5% between 2021 to 2022, and we’re proud to have one of the higher donorships in the region,” said Oswego County Clerk Terry Wilbur. “However, the need for donors is still urgent. Electing to become a donor has a lasting impact on many lives, and we encourage anyone considering it to visit one of our DMV offices and register. Our friendly staff is always happy to help with the simple, convenient process of enrolling as an organ donor.”

Anyone aged 16 and over can join the New York State Donate Life Registry, regardless of their medical history. There is no cost to the donor’s family for organ and tissue donation, and donor status does not interfere with medical care.

“Organ donation is truly a gift,” said Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor. “One organ donor can save eight lives and help 75 more through eye and tissue donation. A person is added to the national transplant waiting list every 10 minutes, so every donor registration is crucial.”

Those interested in becoming a donor can sign up at any Oswego County DMV office. People who are registered as organ donors will have a heart or other symbol on their driver’s license indicating their donor status.

Oswego County DMV has three locations, each open from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday. The Oswego DMV office is open until 6:15 p.m. on Wednesdays.

• Oswego: 384 E. River Rd., 315-349-8300
• Fulton: 200 N. Second St., 315-591-9136
• Pulaski: 2 Broad St., 315-298-6521

For more information about DMV services, including registering to become an organ donor, visit the Oswego County DMV website at oswegocounty.com/government/county_clerk/department_of_motor_vehicles.php.

OSWEGO COUNTY PROCLAIMS APRIL AS DONATE LIFE MONTH – The Oswego County Legislature’s Government, Courts and Consumer Affairs Committee recognizes April as Donate Life Month, presenting a proclamation to Oswego County Clerk Terry Wilbur and Oswego County Public Health Director Vera Dunsmoor. Pictured from left are legislators James Scanlon, District 16; Committee Chairman David M. Holst, District 4; Wilbur; Edward Gilson, District 3; Dunsmoor; Committee Vice Chairman Michael Yerdon, District 1; and Noelle Beckwith-Salmonsen, District 21.

REGISTER TO BECOME AN ORGAN DONOR TODAY – Residents can visit any one of the Oswego County Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) locations in Oswego, Fulton or Pulaski to complete organ donor registration. DMV staff and Oswego County legislators recently honored Donate Life Month with a flag raising ceremony at the H. Douglas Barclay Courthouse in Pulaski. Pictured from left are Gavin Nickolas, New Visions intern; Kern Yerdon; Diane Parow, deputy county clerk for the Oswego County Department of Motor Vehicles; Oswego County Clerk Terry Wilbur; legislators Edward Gilson, District 3; Michael Yerdon, District 1; Noelle Beckwith-Salmonsen, District 21; and Herbert Yerdon, District 2.