CARMEL – Putnam’s face of ‘Live On NY,’ Lauren Shields, who addressed the county’s naturalization ceremonies for years, encouraging America’s newest citizens to become organ donors, has died at the age of 26.
County Clerk Michael Bartolotti said Monday he was saddened by the news. “I will miss Lauren deeply. In her 26 years, she faced more adversity and showed more resilience than most. She was a tireless fighter and an extraordinary person who inspired many, including me, to become organ donors and advocates for donation. Our naturalization ceremonies and organ donation events will never be the same without her.”
Shields received a heart transplant 18 years ago after being diagnosed with viral myocarditis. Shortly after turning 19, the Rockland County woman received a kidney donated by her mother.
Shields was waiting for a living donor kidney at the time of her death.
`During an interview with Mid-Hudson News last summer, Shields was asked: “Do you ever ask yourself—why me?”
Shields’ eyes filled with tears: “I do! It’s very hard to understand why this is happening to me but I am extremely grateful that I am strong enough to fight this. I was very upset when discovering I needed another kidney because my mom donated one of her kidneys. I was devastated knowing that I didn’t get more time with her kidney. Yet I am here because of the mission that I so strongly believe in representing the thousands of people waiting for kidneys who deserve a chance.”
Lauren added: “I am so grateful having been blessed with two transplants. I hope I can beat the odds again. My mother’s donation was a miracle. I hate to ask another person for a kidney, but I have no other choice.”
Shields not only addressed Putnam’s naturalization ceremonies but as Public Affairs Liaison for Live On NY, she visited community organizations, schools and hospitals throughout the Hudson Valley encouraging people to sign up and become an organ and tissue donor.
She was also the face of Lauren’s Law, which requires driver’s license applicants to answer a question about organ donation.
Shields will be buried Friday after a 10 a.m. funeral Mass at St. Augustine’s Church in New City.
Donate Life NY reported on Monday that nearly 8,000 New Yorkers are on the national organ donation waitlist while some 8.2 million residents of the Empire State are signed up as donors.
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