HUNTINGTON, NY – April 1, 2026
The Town of Huntington marked the start of Donate Life Month on Wednesday with a flag raising ceremony at Veterans Plaza, bringing together elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and residents whose lives have been directly impacted by organ donation.
Held at Huntington Town Hall, the event was organized in partnership with LiveOnNY, the federally designated organ procurement organization serving the Greater New York City area. The annual initiative aims to raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation while encouraging residents to register and share their wishes with family members.
Town Supervisor Ed Smyth opened the event by recognizing local officials, community partners, and several Town employees who have experienced organ donation firsthand, either as recipients or donors. Among them were Christian Siems, a heart transplant recipient and Eric Singer and Jonas Wagner, both kidney transplant recipients. Their presence underscored the personal impact of organ donation within the Huntington community.
Raising Awareness Around a Critical Need
“One organ donor can save up to eight lives and help 75 more by donating tissue and corneas,” Smyth said, noting that nearly 10,000 New Yorkers are currently waiting for a lifesaving transplant.
Despite widespread support for organ donation, many residents have not formally registered. Karen Cummings of LiveOnNY explained that awareness remains one of the biggest barriers.
“Even though most people say organ donation is a good thing, the majority of New Yorkers have not said yes,” Cummings said. “We believe that the space between people who have said yes and those who are hesitant is awareness.”
She encouraged residents to learn about the process and make their wishes known, emphasizing that registration can be completed in just a few minutes online.
Personal Stories Highlight Impact
A central part of the event focused on personal testimony from donors and recipients, offering a firsthand look at the realities of organ donation.
A married couple, who are living kidney donors, shared their experience and the impact donation has on both recipients and families.
“When in life do you ever have the opportunity to directly affect the outcome of someone else’s life?” the husband said, describing organ donation as a way to leave a lasting legacy.
Jonas Wagner described his experience with kidney failure and the toll of dialysis, which required hours of treatment multiple times each week and significantly affected his health and daily life.
“It was a very tough process,” Wagner said, explaining how restrictive and exhausting the treatment was before receiving his transplant in 2024.
Following the transplant, Wagner said his condition improved dramatically, allowing him to return to a more normal routine.
Christian Siems, who received a heart transplant more than a decade ago, reflected on his experience after going into heart failure shortly after graduating high school.
Without organ donation, he said, he would not be alive today to share his story.
A Message of Community Impact
Elected officials also spoke about the broader importance of organ donation and the impact it can have on families and communities.
Town Clerk Andrew Raia noted that New York has made significant progress in increasing organ donor participation in recent years, after previously ranking 51st nationally – the very bottom.
Suffolk County Legislator Rebecca Sanin shared a personal connection, describing how a family member’s life was saved through organ donation and reinforcing how critical access to transplants can be.
Several speakers emphasized that while not every family will directly experience organ donation, any family could one day depend on it.
Encouraging Residents to Register
As the ceremony concluded with the raising of the Donate Life flag, Town officials reiterated their commitment to continuing outreach efforts throughout the year.
Residents interested in learning more or registering as organ donors can visit LiveOnNY.org, where information and registration are available.
Officials also encouraged residents to discuss their wishes with family members, noting that awareness and communication play a critical role in increasing participation. The Town of Huntington plans to continue working with LiveOnNY and other advocacy organizations to promote organ donation and expand awareness across the community.
Editor’s Note: Huntington Station resident Chris Melz, a living kidney donor and owner of Two Brothers Printing, founded the Kidney Search Foundation, a nonprofit that helps people in need of a kidney transplant advocate for themselves through free promotional materials like T-shirts, car magnets, flyers, and more. The organization’s goal is simple but powerful: give patients the tools they need to share their story and find a donor. Learn more at KidneySearchFoundation.org.
Videography and Photography by June Margolin.
