While Tuesday marks Valentine’s Day on the calendar, it’s also National Organ Donor Day – where true love comes in the form of saving a life.

According to LiveOnNY, at least 10,000 people are on the organ transplant waiting list. They say at least one New Yorker dies every day because the organs they needed did not come through soon enough.

“Have the conversation. Let people know that you are willing to [be a donor]. You can't take this with you,” said Leonard Achan, the CEO of LiveOnNY. “You are willing to live on and have a legacy and have others live on through organ and tissue donation.”

When fallen FDNY firefighter and volunteer Billy Moon, of Islip, died in December 2022, he donated his organs and saved the lives of five people. His wife, Kristina Moon, says even in death, Billy continues to be a hero.

“In the wake of my own family's tragedy, I found peace in knowing Billy would live on. I was proud to honor his wishes and proud that my kids would grow up knowing the type of hero their dad was,” she said.

Michele Martines's son, Christian Siems, of Greenlawn, received a lifesaving heart transplant in April 2015. Her son's life and three others were saved because of the decision made by U.S. Marine Nicolas Brown before he died.

“He said ‘yes.’ And his family said ‘yes.’ And without them, my son wouldn’t be here,” said Martines.

Each person enrolled in the organ donor registry can save up to eight lives.