Vanessa L. Gibson and donor families mark Donate Life Month at Montefiore and urge more organ registrations

Montefiore Medical Center hosted a Donate Life Month event where Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and donor-family speakers urged more New Yorkers to register as organ donors.

Vanessa L. Gibson, Bronx borough president, said the issue is personal: “In my own family, I had two of my family members that were diagnosed with end-stage renal failure and unfortunately passed away before they could ever receive a kidney transplant,” she said, urging Bronx residents and local sites to learn more about donation.

The event centered on personal testimony. One presenter described losing a daughter who had been waiting for a liver transplant and deciding after her death to donate her organs. “My daughter did not make it to receive that letter, but she passed. Without a second thought, I made the decision to donate her organs,” the presenter said, adding that sharing the story was meant to give others a chance at life.

Organizers said the testimony underscores a broader need: the moderator noted that “the Bronx has the lowest organ donation rates in New York City, according to recent health data,” but did not provide the dataset or figures during the event. Medical staff emphasized that families considering donation are offered support. “We want to demystify it and make sure people know that when they’re potentially in that situation of being in a donor family, we can offer them support,” a staff member said.

Event speakers framed the purpose as both honoring donors and addressing hesitancy. They encouraged attendees to seek information about registration and the hospital’s family supports, noting that organ donations continue to save thousands of lives each year even as demand outpaces registered donors.

The event concluded with organizers urging community outreach and education to boost registrations; no policy action or vote was taken.