HUDSON VALLEY- The Hudson Valley’s face of ‘Live On NY,’ Lauren Shields, who addressed Putnam County’s naturalization ceremonies for years, encouraging America’s newest citizens to become organ donors died at the age of 26 last summer. Now, Congressmen Mike Lawler and Josh Gottheimer aim to make organ donor registration more accessible to people across the country by introducing the Lauren Shields Organ Donation Act.
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.
Putnam County Clerk Michael Bartolotti who coordinates the Naturalization ceremonies in Putnam said he misses Lauren every day: “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 are not the same without her.”
Shields received a heart transplant 18 years ago after being diagnosed with viral myocarditis. Shortly after turning nineteen, 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, weeks before her death, 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.”
During a news conference at the Westchester Medical Center, Lauren’s 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.
Donate Life NY reported Friday that 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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