BUFFALO, N.Y. — During the month of April, the medical community is promoting National Donate Life Month, and on Friday doctors and health workers are encouraging people to consider donating organs.
Erie County Medical Center and ConnectLife held an event on Friday to bring awareness to the growing list of people who need organ transplants, with many of their lives depending on it.
Doctors 2 On Your Side spoke with said New York State has one of the highest need for donors, and nearly the lowest percentage of registered donors nationwide.
Officials said there are currently over 100,000 people waiting for transplants in the United States, and 10 percent of these people are from New York.
"I would just say, talk to your family. Have a discussion about donations. Talk about how you are, what kind of person you are, is that something of a legacy you'd like to leave with your family," Kevin Gramlich, CEO of ConnectLife, told 2 On Your Side.