Probationary Firefighter Urges New Yorkers to Register as Organ Donors
 Probationary Firefighter Joseph Monte and Katy Monte.
Probationary Firefighter Joseph Monte's job is to save lives, and now he is fighting to save thousands - urging New Yorkers to sign up as organ donors.
And his mission hits close to home.
His wife, Katy, was born with cystic fibrosis, a genetic lung disease, which causes the body to produce an unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs (resulting in life-threatening infections) and obstructs the pancreas (stopping enzymes from helping the body break down food and absorb nutrients).
She received a double lung transplant in 2011, but last year her body began rejecting them and her health declined.
In December 2014, her lung function dropped to just 11 percent, and she was admitted to the hospital to await another double lung transplant.
Ms. Monte told a friend in Florida that all the support she received from her husband, family and friends over the past few years has given her an extra "oomph" to persevere despite her health troubles. So her friend started a campaign of support called "Oomph for Katy," which includes a website and social media. People from around the world, including celebrities like Kevin Bacon and Boomer Esiason, have posted photos of encouragement for the young woman.
Probationary Firefighter Monte, who works at Engine 289, said the campaign: "Has given [Katy] extra encouragement and 'oomph,' and also spreads awareness for organ donation and how important it is."
 Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro (left) and Chief of Department James Leonard support the #OomphForKaty campaign.
Currently only 22 percent of New Yorkers over the age of 18 have enrolled in the New York State Donate Life Registry as organ, tissue and eye donors - while the nationwide average is around 47 percent. That means that in other parts of the country, the average wait for a transplant is 11 days, while in New York, it can be more than two years.
Probationary Firefighter Monte said he thinks the low percentage is result of misconceptions about organ donation, and encourages everyone to visit www.donatelifeny.org to learn more and sign up as a donor.
The FDNY also has worked to improve the statistics, urging mem
bers training at the Fire and EMS Academies to sign up as organ and bone marrow donors.
"It's great to have the support of the whole department," said Probationary Firefighter Monte, who graduated from the Fire Academy in November 2014. "Everyone's been so helpful."
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