III
115th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. RES. 152
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
That the Senate—
supports the goals and ideals of National Donate Life Month;
supports promoting awareness of organ donation by increasing public awareness;
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
;
commends each individual who—
is a registered organ donor who may have a positive impact on the life of another individual; or
indicates a wish to become an organ donor;
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;
recognizes the generous contribution made by each living individual who has donated an organ to save the life of another individual;
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;
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
salutes each individual who has helped to give the gift of life by supporting, promoting, and encouraging organ donation.