Title: A resolution supporting the designation of April 2019 as "National Donate Life Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution expresses support for the designation of April 2019 as National Donate Life Month and for promoting awareness of organ and tissue donation.

[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 162 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               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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