Have Dalton's Law A10046 Passed in New York State
Have Dalton's Law A10046 Passed in New York State
The Issue
Amy Samson’s Story
On the evening of May 19th, 2017 my son Dalton and his two friends climbed Blue Mountain. This was normal for these three young men in their 20's who were aspiring 46er's. They would climb the mountain, reach the summit, sleep, and watch the sunrise in the morning. On Saturday morning after watching the sunrise the boys descended the mountain got into the car, and headed home because of work and other obligations. On the way home the unthinkable happened, the driver fell asleep and the car ran off the road, hitting a tree killing Dalton and the other passenger immediately. The accident took place around 6:00am on Saturday May 20, 2017.
As a nurse I am aware of the benefits of organ and tissue donations. I wanted to have that opportunity to donate and help others. I set upon making this happen. I contacted law enforcement, the coroner, and the funeral home but, the accident was on a weekend, in a rural area, and there is currently no obligation for the coroner to notify an organ procurement organization. My wishes were ignored and no one would help me.
I know there are strict protocols in place that must be followed for deaths in the hospital so why are there no protocols in place tor deaths outside of the hospital?
Hospitals are required by law to refer every death in a timely manner, so why don't coroners? With an estimated 40,000 deaths being motor vehicle accidents in the United States, why isn’t there a protocol in place to refer these deaths that occur outside of a hospital. Why don’t coroners have an obligation to refer these deaths? Referrals of deaths outside of hospitals could help eliminate the shortage of tissue, eye, and bone donations.
Lauren's Law requires the DMV to ask the question about organ and tissue donations before the transaction can be completed. If coroners are not looking at a license or making a referral, those who are on the Donor Registry will never have the opportunity to donate.
I was denied the opportunity to donate. As a mother and a nurse all I wanted was to make something positive come from this horrific situation. My son's gifts could have helped several families and changed the lives of many. I never want another mother to experience the same obstacles that I had to face that day.
Please support DALTON’S LAW
3,476
The Issue
Amy Samson’s Story
On the evening of May 19th, 2017 my son Dalton and his two friends climbed Blue Mountain. This was normal for these three young men in their 20's who were aspiring 46er's. They would climb the mountain, reach the summit, sleep, and watch the sunrise in the morning. On Saturday morning after watching the sunrise the boys descended the mountain got into the car, and headed home because of work and other obligations. On the way home the unthinkable happened, the driver fell asleep and the car ran off the road, hitting a tree killing Dalton and the other passenger immediately. The accident took place around 6:00am on Saturday May 20, 2017.
As a nurse I am aware of the benefits of organ and tissue donations. I wanted to have that opportunity to donate and help others. I set upon making this happen. I contacted law enforcement, the coroner, and the funeral home but, the accident was on a weekend, in a rural area, and there is currently no obligation for the coroner to notify an organ procurement organization. My wishes were ignored and no one would help me.
I know there are strict protocols in place that must be followed for deaths in the hospital so why are there no protocols in place tor deaths outside of the hospital?
Hospitals are required by law to refer every death in a timely manner, so why don't coroners? With an estimated 40,000 deaths being motor vehicle accidents in the United States, why isn’t there a protocol in place to refer these deaths that occur outside of a hospital. Why don’t coroners have an obligation to refer these deaths? Referrals of deaths outside of hospitals could help eliminate the shortage of tissue, eye, and bone donations.
Lauren's Law requires the DMV to ask the question about organ and tissue donations before the transaction can be completed. If coroners are not looking at a license or making a referral, those who are on the Donor Registry will never have the opportunity to donate.
I was denied the opportunity to donate. As a mother and a nurse all I wanted was to make something positive come from this horrific situation. My son's gifts could have helped several families and changed the lives of many. I never want another mother to experience the same obstacles that I had to face that day.
Please support DALTON’S LAW
3,476
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on September 21, 2019