Title: A resolution expressing support for the designation of April 2017 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.
Encourages states, localities, and the territories and possessions of the United States to issue proclamations designating April 2017 as National Donate Life Month.
Salutes individuals who have supported, promoted, and encouraged organ donation.

[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 152 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 152

  Expressing support for the designation of April 2017 as ``National 
                          Donate Life Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              May 3, 2017

   Ms. Heitkamp (for herself and Mr. Casey) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
  Expressing support for the designation of April 2017 as ``National 
                          Donate Life Month''.

Whereas, in April 2017, over 118,116 individuals were on the official waiting 
        list for organ donation managed by the Organ Procurement and 
        Transplantation Network (referred to in this preamble as the ``national 
        transplant waiting list'');
Whereas, in 2016, 33,606 transplant procedures were performed with organs from 
        27,628 deceased donors and 5,978 living donors, yet 6,303 candidates for 
        transplantation died while waiting for an organ transplant;
Whereas, on average, 22 people die each day while waiting for an organ donation;
Whereas over 130,000,000 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 2016, 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) supports the goals and ideals of National Donate Life 
        Month;
            (2) supports promoting awareness of organ donation by 
        increasing public awareness;
            (3) 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 
        2017 as ``National Donate Life Month'';
            (4) 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;
            (5) 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;
            (6) recognizes the generous contribution made by each 
        living individual who has donated an organ to save the life of 
        another individual;
            (7) 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;
            (8) 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
            (9) salutes each individual who has helped to give the gift 
        of life by supporting, promoting, and encouraging organ 
        donation.
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