Donors, Recipients Gather To Spread Important Message For 'Organ Donor Month'

NEW YORK(CBSNewYork) -- Across the country, April has been dubbed 'Organ Donor Month.'

Tuesday, on Long Island, the life saving power of organ donations was on display.

"We didn't know it then, but that would be the last time we'd see Stephen alive," Margaret Valeschi said.

Valeschi, of Lindenhurst, spoke lovingly of her son Stephen who was killed in an accident 4-years-ago while living in Ireland.

The 26-year-old's organs were donated to four different people, including a heart transplant that saved a man's life, CBS2's Valerie Castro reported.

"Took my hand and put it on his chest and I felt my child's heart beat in someone else's chest. I can honestly say I don't have the words to describe that. It was the most beautiful thing I've ever felt," Valeschi said.

That was the message on Tuesday at North Shore University Hospital in Manhasset. The need for organ donors like Aliana Soto, who donated her left kidney to save her father's life, is critical.

"My dad actually walked my older sister down the aisle on Sunday. That was important, but it wouldn't have happened had I not made the sacrifice, so I'm happy," she said.

Jose Soto teared up over his daughter's act of devotion.

"Ahh, start crying. It's great," he said.

Desiree Mitchell choked-up as she remembered the day after surgeons implanted corneas from anonymous donors that her family now hopes will restore her 16-month-old daughter's sight. Little Hudson was born with several rare eye disorders.

"I'm not saying she can see far, but whatever is right in front of her she sees shapes or images," Roy Mitchell said.

Surgeons hope these stories will spur more people to register as donors, either by signing up online or when getting their driver's license.

Each day about 75 people nationwide get a life-saving transplant. Sadly 20 others in need of transplants die waiting. New York state ranks last in the country for organ donations.