New York state has reached a big milestone for organ donation.

For the first time, more than 50% of eligible New Yorkers have registered as donors. Gov. Kathy Hochul's office says that's significant because the state has historically had one of the lowest donor enrollment rates in the country.

"Making that decision to provide the gift of life to someone else is a great example of the giving spirit of New Yorkers," Hochul said in a statement.

But Aisha Tator, the executive director of Donate Life New York, says the work continues to make sure people get the life-saving transplants they need.

"These are our family, our friends. These are mothers and fathers, fathers who want to walk their daughters down the aisle, mothers who want to tuck their kids in at night," Tator said at a press conference in the Bronx Wednesday. "These are our colleagues, our coworkers. They're depending on us."

The governor's office says almost 8,000 New Yorkers are currently on the waitlist for an organ donation.

"A single donor can save up to eight lives and heal 75 more through organ and tissue donation," a press release says.

There are multiple ways to register as an organ donor: