A local lawmaker was honored last week as a champion of organ donation. The award from organ donor advocacy group LiveOnNY marked the 7th anniversary of the signing of Lauren’s Law. The law was named for Stony Point teen Lauren Shields, herself a heart recipient, who worked with Rockland state Senator David Carlucci to get the law passed…
Shields was only eight years-old when her heart started failing and it took nearly a year before she got a new one. The law named after her requires driver’s license applicants to answer “yes” or skip the question about becoming an organ donor. It’s been credited with increasing donor registration in the state 15% since it was enacted. LiveOnNY President and CEO Helen Irving praised Senator Carlucci and Lauren, whose work together has helped save lives…
Carlucci has also helped pass other bills to increase organ donation, including paid family leave for a transplant procedure, allowing organ donors to claim tax deductions for related expenses, and letting 16- and 17-year-olds register to be organ donors.