Bipartisan bill honors Rockland County organ donation advocate Lauren Shields
The Lauren Shields Organ Donation Act honors the life and legacy of Rockland County native Lauren Shields, a double transplant recipient who spent her life advocating for organ donation. Shields died in June at the age of 26.
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Bipartisan legislation introduced by Hudson Valley Reps Mike Lawler and New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer aims to make organ donor registration more accessible to people across the country.
The Lauren Shields Organ Donation Act honors the life and legacy of Rockland County native Lauren Shields, a double transplant recipient who spent her life advocating for organ donation. Shields died in June at the age of 26.
Shields also inspired Lauren's Law, which requires New Yorkers to answer a question about organ donation when applying for a driver's license. The new federal legislation would build on her advocacy by expanding opportunities for Americans to register as organ donors.
"If you don't ask, you don't receive. The objective is to put this question to the American people over and over and over again until they say yes," said Lawler.
"It'll just make it easier when people register for anything federally, right? Whether you're talking about a passport, your taxes, applying for Social Security, Medicare of Veteran's benefits. You'll get the chance to check the box," said Gottheimer.
Her mother, Jeanne Shields, said giving people more opportunities to consider organ donation could help save lives. She also said she wishes her daughter were here to take part in the latest advocacy effort, but believes she is smiling down from above.
According to Donate Life, more than 100,000 people are waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
