Each quarter, the Amherst Chamber's Business Resource Council recognizes one member business for outstanding achievement, success or work within the community. This quarter, the council honors Upstate New York Transplant Services with the Member Success Showcase Award for its commitment to saving the lives of Western New Yorkers through blood and organ donation.

Coming up on its 30^th anniversary, UNYTS has a lot to be proud of.  The organization constantly tasked with confronting life's most delicate moments, continues to do so successfully and with a record of excellence.  Lauded as a top-ten procurement organization nationwide, UNYTS is the only organization of its kind to house community blood services as well as organ, tissue and eye procurement under one roof.  Although UNYTS provides tangible and life-saving necessities, the organization doesn't skimp on the intangibles, either. 

Upstate New York Transplant Services builds off the strong sense of community that noticeably thrums through the Western New York area.  Since its blood banking services go directly to local hospitals, UNYTS relies heavily on the notion that Western New Yorkers want to help each other during their most dire hour of need.   According to UNYTS President Mark Simon, in the City of Good Neighbors the "gift of life" is one few hesitate to give.

"I like to use the analogy of a pie," Simon said.  "UNYTS is only one piece of the pie.  To deliver on our life-saving mission, we need the cooperation of community resources, donor hospitals, donors, recipients and their families."

Yes, UNYTS is just one piece of the pie.  However, it's a vital one.

The organization operates as a non-profit, serving the eight counties of Western New York. Its services include assisting donor families, coordinating the donation process and increasing awareness within the community regarding transplantation.  Additionally, UNYTS is a cost cutting agent for many of the area's hospitals since all blood donations stay local.  

These efforts don't go unnoticed.  By truly connecting with the people it serves, UNYTS has nailed down a significantly higher rate of donation than the national average.  The employees of UNYTS regularly tackle the darker side to donation with professionalism and respect. It's the side that is harder to talk about, and ultimately harder to cope with for people who have lost their loved ones.

Nationally, 60 percent families give consent when they are approached for organ donation after the death of a loved one.  For UNYTS, this number is much higher.  In Western New York 90 percent of families give consent. The trend is increasing, too. As recently as 1997, UNYTS had just 200 donors; in 2007 the organization topped off at 1,000.

When asked to speak to this hike in consent compared to the national average, Simon deferred again to the eight counties UNYTS serves.

"Our success is a reflection of this great community," Simon said.  "We count on the fact that Western New Yorkers want to help their neighbors and maybe even save a life."