Sixteen Landmarks Illuminated Blue and Green for National Donate Life Day

New York State Department of Health Announces Landmarks to Be Illuminated in Blue and Green for National Donate Life Blue & Green Day

Sixteen Landmarks Will Be Illuminated on Friday, April 10

ALBANY, N.Y. (April 10, 2026) –The New York State of Health today announced that 16 landmarks across New York State will be illuminated in blue and green on Friday, April 10, in honor of National Donate Life Blue & Green Day.

"National Donate Life Blue & Green Day reminds us of the power of giving the gift of life," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "We honor the donors and families who make this possible and encourage all New Yorkers to consider registering to help save lives."

State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, "Eighty-four percent of people who have enrolled in the Donate Life Registry have done so through transactions with the Department of Motor Vehicles, making DMV the most common way that people sign up to be organ donors. We are all very proud of that and committed to increasing enrollment. We also honor and thanks those who have signed up to help save lives."

Landmarks to be lit in tribute include:

1WTC

Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge

Kosciuszko Bridge

The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building

State Education Building

Alfred E. Smith State Office Building

Empire State Plaza

State Fairgrounds – Main Gate & Expo Center

Niagara Falls

The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge

Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct

Albany International Airport Gateway

MTA LIRR - East End Gateway at Penn Station

Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal

Moynihan Train Hall

Roosevelt Island Lighthouse

National Donate Life Blue & Green Day is part of Donate Life America's National Donate Life Month, observed on the second Friday of April each year. During National Donate Life Blue & Green Day, the public is encouraged to wear blue and green and to engage in sharing the Donate Life message and promoting the importance of registering as an organ, eye and tissue donor.

In 2024, for the first time, more than 50 percent of eligible New Yorkers joined the Donate Life Registry. That number continues to grow, now at 52.9 percent. One organ donor can save up to eight lives and improve the health of 75 more through tissue and eye donations.

More than 8,000 New Yorkers are currently waiting for a life-saving transplant. By joining the Registry, residents aged 16 and older can offer someone a second chance at life. Registration is easy and confidential through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) , voter registration, IDNYC, health portals, or when applying for sporting licenses. Approximately 80 percent of donor registrations happen at the DMV, reflecting New York's strong partnership with Donate Life New York State. Supporters can also show their commitment through a Donate Life custom license plate or contributions to the "Life Pass It on Trust Fund," which supports research, education and awareness programs.

The New York State Living Donor Support Program, launched in October 2025, the first state program of its kind nationwide, aims to increase living donations and save more lives. To date, 124 New Yorkers have applied to the program, with a 100 percent acceptance rate and nearly $215,000 reimbursed to living donor applicants. This includes 48 Legacy donors who donated between April 1, 2023, and October 22, 2025, following the Living Donor Support Act.

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