April is Donate Life Month, a month-long advocacy campaign to raise awareness of the need for organ donation.

For families who have lost a loved one suddenly, it can be a difficult decision during an already difficult time.

Advocates from LiveOnNY say that New York State has a large need for donors. The state ranks 50th of all states for registered organ donors.

Toni Ann Colon lost her son Dillon in an accident last year. She says the decision to donate Dillon's organs was what he would have wanted, and it helped save four lives.

"One man was on a list for over two years that got his lungs," said Colon. "First time in his life he's ever breathing through a real pair of lungs. He's been sick his whole life. Just to hear stories like that, it's an amazing thing."

Almost 10,000 people are waiting for organ and tissue transplants in New York State, according to data from LiveOnNY. New Yorkers can register to become organ donors at the Deparment of Motor Vehicles, or when they register to vote.