PAINTED POST, N.Y. (WENY) -- There was a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Steuben County Department of Motor Vehicles for “Donate Life.” Assemblyman (R, C-Corning) Phil Palmesano and county clerks across the Twin Tiers joined together to stress how important organ donation is, despite “Donate Life” month coming to an end.  

Organ donation impacts people across New York State and the country. The New York State DMV has played a role in increasing enrollment numbers for the “Donate Life” program.  

There are nearly 100,000 people nationally on the organ donation wait list, according to “Donate Life.” Nearly 8,00 of those are New Yorkers. 

Assemblyman Palmesano said New York has the third highest need for organ donors but has the third worst enrollment rate. New York is ranked 50th out of 52 states and territories for enrollment.  

Programs like “Donate Life” are getting enrollment numbers up, Assemblyman Palmesano said.  

“DMV offices across the state, like right here in Corning and across the counties everywhere, are a tremendous partner,” Assemblyman Palmesano said. “They have their ‘Donate Life’ shirts on. They ask people when they come to the window...just think about it for a minute. What if it was your mom or dad, your brother or sister, your husband or wife...God forbid...your son or daughter?”  

Chemung County Clerk Linda Forrest said organ donor enrollment numbers continue to rise across the county and the Southern Tier. Officials with Chemung County have been hosting events to promote organ donations all month long. 

“Everyone that came in to sign up for a permit...they asked if they would become an organ donor,” Forrest said. “Anybody that renewed their driver’s license...they were really good at not forgetting to ask if they would be an organ donor.”  

Even though “Donate Life” month ends in April, that does not mean the need stops. People can register to become an organ donor all year long.