ConnectLife Blog

In September 2015, Shawn became a hero to many, when his selfless act of organ donation gave the Gift of Life to five people. Through corneal donations, Shawn additionally provided two others the opportunity to see again. The non-profit organization Shawn’s Heroes for Life continues his legacy by honoring and enhancing the lives of veterans and those in need, and by increasing organ donation awareness.

November is Eye Donation Month, and ConnectLife is raising awareness about the life-transforming opportunities that are created through eye donation. Eye Donation Month 2025 is centered on the theme, “Everyday Heroes.” This emphasizes the fact that nearly anyone has the potential to be a cornea donor – everyday individuals have the ability to be a hero by registering as a donor and giving the life-transforming power of restored sight.

The New York State Department of Health in October announced the launch of the Living Donor Support Program to help cover eligible expenses associated with the living donation process. More than 8,000 people in the state are currently awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant. More than 7,000 of those are in need of a kidney transplant. More than 500 are in need of a liver transplant. A living donor can give one of their two kidneys, or a portion of their liver, to someone w

Last week, Governor Kathy Hochul signed the HEART (Helping Equal Access to Registrations for Transplants) Act, repealing an outdated New York law prohibiting multi-listing at transplant centers in the state. The ban dated back to 1990. New York has long been the only state with such a restriction.