Title: A resolution designating April 2018 as "National Donate Life Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Donate Life Month and for promoting awareness of organ donation.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 479 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 479

       Designating April 2018 as ``National Donate Life Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             April 23, 2018

 Ms. Heitkamp (for herself, Ms. Collins, and Ms. Warren) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
       Designating April 2018 as ``National Donate Life Month''.

Whereas, in April 2018, more than 114,000 individuals in the United States were 
        on the official national transplant waiting list (referred to in this 
        preamble as the ``national transplant waiting list'') managed by the 
        Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network;
Whereas, in 2017, 34,770 transplant procedures were performed in the United 
        States with organs from 10,286 deceased donors and 6,187 living donors, 
        yet 6,081 candidates for transplantation died while waiting for an organ 
        transplant;
Whereas, on average, 20 people die each day in the United States while waiting 
        for an organ donation;
Whereas more than 138,000,000 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 2017, a record was set for the number of organ transplants performed 
        in a single year, yet every 10 minutes, 1 person is added to the 
        national transplant waiting list;
Whereas an organ donation from a single deceased donor can benefit up to 8 
        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) designates April 2018 as ``National Donate Life 
        Month'';
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Donate Life 
        Month;
            (3) supports promoting awareness of organ 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 
        2018 as ``National Donate Life Month'';
            (5) commends each individual who--
                    (A) is a registered organ donor who may have a 
                positive impact on the life of another individual; or
                    (B) indicates a wish to become an organ 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 of deceased family members;
            (7) recognizes the generous contribution made by each 
        living individual who has donated an organ to save 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 
        transplantation experts who have worked to improve the process 
        of living organ donation and increase the number of living 
        donors; and
            (10) salutes each individual who has helped to give the 
        gift of life by supporting, promoting, and encouraging organ 
        donation.
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