Assemblywoman Galef’s TV Show Highlights Her Effort to Increase Awareness of Organ Transplant Issues in New York State

Five people tell their stories of giving and receiving the gift of life

December 15, 2011

Sandy is joined by, from left to right: Rudy & Ally Masry of Briarcliff Manor, Mary Wu of Ossining, Hailey and Acacia (on her lap) Puleo of Chappaqua, Carol Johnson, and Janet Ocasio on the set of “Dear Sandy,” to discuss the life-saving and sustaining benefits of organ donation.

The latest installment of Assemblywoman Sandy Galef’s television program “Dear Sandy” explores the world of organ transplants. Galef looks at the urgent need for more organ donors in New York State with Rudy Masry, a constituent from Briarcliff, himself a recipient of a kidney from his wife. On the show, Galef discusses with Masry that New York donor registrations lag far behind those of other states in the percentage of people who sign up, and dispels some of the myths that discourage people from registering to become donors.

Galef then invites five individuals to describe how their lives have been dramatically changed by organ transplants. The group is astonishingly diverse in age, ranging from people who received a transplant as a baby to senior citizens. They are equally diverse in terms of their medical needs and how they got the help they needed. What they all share, however, is their gratitude to those who literally gave them a gift of life, and a sense of urgency in trying to get more people to sign on as donors.

“These guests’ stories are so compelling, we can only respond by doing everything in our power to make these positive outcomes happen more often,” Galef commented.

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