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County Executive Ed Day Awards Roxanne Watson With Key to the County
Watson Signed +14,000 Organ Donors & Counting
Post Date:10/08/2025 2:15 PM
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Contact: Beth Cefalu, |
County Executive Ed Day Awards Roxanne Watson With Key to the County
Watson Signed +14,000 Organ Donors & Counting
New City, NY – On Tuesday, Rockland County Executive Ed Day presented the Key to the County award, Rockland’s highest and most prestigious honor, to Roxanne Watson.
The Key to the County is awarded to a person who makes a special contribution to Rockland and has been in the past for acts of love, heroism, service and leadership.
In 2010, Roxanne Watson received the gift of life—a new heart. Since that moment, Roxanne dedicated her second chance to ensuring that others have the same chance she did and has signed up nearly 14,000 people as organ donors.
“It is a rare and special moment when we get to honor someone whose life is not only a testament to courage, but to the extraordinary power of purpose,” said County Executive Day. “I am proud to present the Key to the County to a woman who has turned personal survival into purpose and a mission to save others.”
“We’ve got 14,000 new donors and if every single one of them donates everything they can donate, we will have saved 380,000 more lives,” said Roxanne Watson. “I have received a lot of awards…but this one is special because it’s from my hometown.”
Watson underwent her second heart transplant this summer but even throughout her recovery, continued signing up donors, pushing her to over 14,000 donors signed up.
“LiveOnNY is thrilled to see Roxanne honored with the Key to the County Award,” said Scott Wohl, Vice President of Community & Public Affairs at LiveOnNY. “As a heart recipient, Roxanne has turned her personal story into a powerful platform to inspire others, helping countless people understand the lifesaving impact of organ donation. Her passion and tireless advocacy have made her one of our most dedicated volunteer champions, and this recognition is a true reflection of the lives she has touched and the hope she continues to bring to so many.”
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