Black Westchester has extensively covered the murder of Jarrel Garris, an unarmed Black man with mental challenges by New Rochelle Police Detective Steven Conn, the second murder of a Black man by the NRPD. We have articulated this tragedy from every angle. While it will not totally take away the pain of his loved ones, family, and friends, there is one good, no great thing for us to report about the untimely death of Jarrel Garris.

According to LiveOnNY, organs donated by Garris after his death saved the lives of four people between the ages of 30 and 75, in New York, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, in need of kidney, liver, lung, and heart transplants.

“Jarrell Garris, a 37-year-old New Rochelle native who tragically lost his life, became an organ donor hero today after he generously gave the gift of life to those in need. LiveOnNY can now confirm that Jarrell saved the lives of 4 people between the ages of 30 and 75, in New York, Ohio, and in Pennsylvania in need of kidney, liver, lung, and heart transplants to have a second chance at life. LiveOnNY is humbled and honored to be the stewards of these precious gifts on behalf of Jarrell and his family so that he and others may Live On. We extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends, and his community. Our thoughts and prayers remain with them during this difficult time.” Leonard Achan, RN, MA, ANP, President and CEO, LiveOnNY

LiveOnNY is a nonprofit organization committed to helping New York live on through organ and tissue donation and to caring for the families touched by donation. We serve as the federally designated organ procurement organization (OPO) for the greater New York City area.

We all have a role in ending the waitlist. Nearly 9,000 New Yorkers statewide — 131 of whom are children under the age of 18 — are waiting for a lifesaving transplant, according to United Network for Organ Sharing. Nationwide, the number is approximately 100,000 – enough to fill two Yankee stadiums. But the myths of organ donation are starting to fade away and New Yorkers are saving more lives than ever. Last year, more than 1,000 organs were transplanted thanks to the selfless acts of organ donors in the greater New York area — a record — but the urgency remains, and the work is far from done. Together, as a community, New York has the power to end the waitlist.

To find out more about how you can register to be an organ donor visit their website.