Mount Sinai celebrates living organ donors

NEW YORK (WABC) -- There was a gathering Thursday night to celebrate one of the best gifts anyone can give, a second chance at life.

April is donate life month.

Mount Sinai Hospital is celebrating the generosity of living donors who gave up one of their kidneys or a part of their liver to help someone in need.

"Being a match to my husband was the greatest gift I could ever have. And once we found out that was possible, it was just a question of getting Bill healthy enough to receive my kidney," said Susie Hochenberg, a kidney donor.

"It's very simple and I've never felt better in my life," said Bill Hochenberg, a kidney recipient.

Mrs. Hochenberg is an artist who regularly volunteers at both Mount Sinai and the Museum of Natural History.

Other donors and recipients honored included a 58-year-old woman who donated a kidney to her brother with Downs Syndrome, a 38-year-old father who donated a kidney to his toddler son, and a 36-year-old daughter who donated a portion of her liver to her 66-year-old mother. Both are working to raise awareness for living donors in their Bronx neighborhood.

According to Live on NY, a new name is added to New York State's organ transplant waiting list every two and a half hours.