Assemblyman Jones celebrates Organ Donor Awareness Month with New York State Gift of Life Medal of Honor recipient
Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) presented Diane Menard with a New York State Gift of Life Medal of Honor on Monday for her selfless donation of a kidney to her sister, Julie Seibert, a Rouses Point resident who was battling a rare autoimmune disorder. The Gift of Life Medal of Honor program was created in 2002 to honor living organ and tissue donors and the families of deceased donors.
“Giving the gift of life is one of the most selfless and compassionate things anyone can do, and it’s only right that we honor those who make this tremendous sacrifice,” said Jones. “When her sister Julie needed a lifesaving donation, Diane rose to the occasion. Now, nearly seven years later, both Julie and Diane are healthy and enjoying all that life has to offer. We could all use a person as caring and thoughtful as Diane in our corner and I was honored to present this distinguished award to her during Organ Donor Awareness Month.”
Julie was diagnosed with anti-glomerular basement membrane disease, which targets the lungs and kidneys, in the summer of 2009 and suffered kidney failure a few months later. She underwent two years of dialysis before becoming eligible for a kidney transplant. Diane, who was an exact match, generously donated her kidney on May 30, 2012. This story of love and sacrifice will hopefully inspire those who haven’t yet registered as organ donors to do so, noted Jones.
To register as an organ donor or to learn more about organ and tissue donation, visit www.donatelife.ny.gov.
Posted: April 29th, 2019 under Northern NY News, State Legislator News.