Bill Summary
This resolution supports the designation of April 2019 as "National Donate Life Month" in the United States. It acknowledges the large number of individuals on the national transplant waiting list and the high demand for organ donations. It also recognizes the record number of organ transplants performed in 2018 and the potential for each deceased donor to benefit up to 8 individuals and each living donor to save a life. The resolution encourages public awareness and support for organ and tissue donation and commends those who are registered donors or have expressed a desire to become donors. It also acknowledges the grief of families who have lost loved ones and chosen to donate their organs and salutes the medical professionals and experts who work to increase the number of donors and save lives through transplantation.
Possible Impacts
1) The legislation may encourage individuals to become registered organ donors, potentially leading to more lives being saved through donation.
2) The legislation may raise awareness about the demand for donated organs and the need for more donors, potentially inspiring people to take action and register as donors.
3) The legislation may honor and recognize the families who choose to donate the organs and tissues of their deceased loved ones, showing appreciation for their generous and selfless actions.
[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 162 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]
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116th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 162
Supporting the designation of April 2019 as ``National Donate Life
Month''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 11, 2019
Ms. Warren (for herself and Ms. Collins) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education,
Labor, and Pensions
May 6, 2019
Committee discharged; considered and agreed to
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the designation of April 2019 as ``National Donate Life
Month''.
Whereas, in April 2019, more than 113,000 individuals were on the official
waiting list for organ donation managed by the Organ Procurement and
Transplantation Network established under section 372 of the Public
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 274) (referred to in this preamble as the
``national transplant waiting list'');
Whereas, in 2018, 36,529 transplant procedures were performed in the United
States with organs from 10,721 deceased donors and 6,841 living donors,
yet on average, 20 people die each day while waiting for an organ
donation;
Whereas more than 150,000,000 people in the United States are registered to be
organ and tissue donors, yet the demand for donated organs outweighs the
supply of organs made available each day;
Whereas, in 2018, a record was set for the number of organ transplants performed
in a single year, for the sixth consecutive year, yet every 10 minutes,
1 person is added to the national transplant waiting list;
Whereas organ donation from a single deceased donor can benefit up to 8
individuals, and tissue donation from a single deceased donor can
benefit an additional 75 individuals;
Whereas a living donor can donate a kidney or a portion of a lung or the liver
to save the life of another individual; and
Whereas April is traditionally recognized as ``National Donate Life Month'':
Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) supports the designation of April 2019 as ``National
Donate Life Month'';
(2) supports the goals and ideals of National Donate Life
Month;
(3) supports promoting awareness of organ and tissue
donation by increasing public awareness;
(4) encourages States, localities, and territories of the
United States to support the goals and ideals of National
Donate Life Month by issuing a proclamation to designate April
as ``National Donate Life Month'';
(5) commends each individual who--
(A) is a registered organ donor who may have a
positive effect on the life of another individual; or
(B) indicates a wish to become an organ and tissue
donor;
(6) acknowledges the grief of families who face the loss of
loved ones and commends the families who, in their grief,
choose to donate the organs and tissues of deceased family
members;
(7) recognizes the generous contribution made by each
living individual who has donated an organ or tissue to save
and enhance the life of another individual;
(8) acknowledges the advances in medical technology that
have enabled organ transplantation with organs donated by
living individuals to become a viable treatment option for an
increasing number of patients;
(9) commends the medical professionals and organ donation
and transplantation experts who have worked to improve organ
donation of deceased and living individuals and to increase the
number of deceased and living donors, thus saving more lives;
and
(10) salutes each individual who has helped to give the
gift of life by supporting, promoting, and encouraging organ
and tissue donation.
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