WNY Community Honors Life-Saving Legacy of Late West Herr GM & Local Organ Donor, Brian Cosen

Leadership from West Herr Automotive Group, Donate Life New York State, and ConnectLife, along with New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark Schroeder and the New York State Automobile Dealers Association joined WNY residents in raising awareness about the life-changing impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation. The press conference honored the life and legacy of Brian Cosen – the late General Manager of West Herr Jeep – who selflessly chose to give the ultimate gift by being an organ donor.

“What was the worst day in our lives was the best day for two other families, and that brings us a small sense of comfort,” said Maria Cosen, Wife of Brian Cosen. “Brian’s selflessness has inspired many in our family, myself included, to register to be an organ donor. We hope Brian inspires you to register as well, as he truly is our hero.”

More than 103,000 Americans, including nearly 8,000 New Yorkers, are currently on the waitlist for a life-changing organ. While organ donation saved nearly 3,600 New Yorkers in 2023, roughly 400 people on the transplant waitlist die each year due to a shortage of donors. Over the past decade, Donate Life NYS has more than doubled the number of organ donors in New York – from 21% in 2013, to 48% today – but New York still trails far behind the national average of 64%.

“There’s no better way to honor Brian’s legacy than by encouraging New Yorkers to follow in his selfless, life-saving footsteps,” said Aisha Tator, Executive Director of Donate Life New York State. “I’m honored to be here today alongside Brian’s wife, Maria, to raise awareness about the critical importance of organ donation. One donor has the potential to save 8 lives and heal 75 more through eye and tissue donation. I believe in the generosity of New Yorkers, and I know that the more work we do to spread this message, the closer we’ll get to accomplishing our mission of ensuring a life-changing transplant for every New Yorker in need.”

New Yorkers can register to become organ donors at DonateLifeNYS.org/register.

“Brian Cosen was a loyal, supportive, genuine friend and he lived his life in an admirable way, always making his family his top priority. He was that person that you could count on to make you laugh and to give solid advice when you needed it. He continually put others before himself,” said Scott Bieler, President & CEO of West Herr Automotive Group. “His life ended much too soon, and I’m not surprised at all that he donated 4 of his organs to save the lives of others. I think of Brian often and miss him every day. I encourage others to register to become an organ donor.”

Today, this diverse group of advocates, auto dealers, officials, and impacted families came together to encourage their fellow New Yorkers to join the Registry and help further Donate Life’s mission of ensuring a life-changing transplant for every New Yorker in need.

“At ConnectLife, we help people help others and work to support New Yorkers’ inherent desire to do good,” said Sarah Diina, Senior Director of Marketing & Community Development at ConnectLife. “It was a privilege to help Brian selflessly give the ultimate gift, and we know that if presented with the knowledge of the life-changing impact they could have, the vast majority of New Yorkers would match his generosity. Educational events like today’s take us one step closer to a healthier and more compassionate New York.”

“Brian’s selfless example is one that I know most New Yorkers would follow if given the knowledge and the tools to do so,” said Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). “That’s why through our partnership with Donate Life NYS, we work to do just that. I’m proud that the majority of New Yorkers who sign up to become organ, eye, and tissue donors do so through the DMV, and I’m eager to continue working together to find new ways to increase registration rates across New York.”

“New Yorkers truly care about our neighbors, so there’s no reason that our registration rate should trail so far behind other states,” said Robert Vancavage, President of the New York State Automobile Dealers Association (NYSADA). “Thankfully, dealerships like West Herr Automotive Group are using their platforms to partner with incredible organizations like Donate Life NYS to raise awareness about the importance of organ and tissue donation. It’s important that we all follow Brian’s lead and help improve the lives of our fellow New Yorkers.”