HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

149th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 19

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2017 AS "NATIONAL DONATE LIFE MONTH" IN DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, April is National Donate Life Month, celebrated each year to encourage Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and to celebrate those who have saved lives through the gift of donation; and

WHEREAS, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), in 2016, more than 33,000 transplants were performed in a single year for the first time in the United States, a milestone attained through the generosity of donors and their families; and

WHEREAS, more than 118,000 men, women and children await organ transplants nationwide and 22 people die each day because an appropriate match was not found in time; and

WHEREAS, the organ transplant waiting list includes nearly 500 Delawareans, while many others benefit from tissue transplants that greatly enhance their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, one organ, eye, and tissue donor may save up to 8 lives and help up to 75 people; and

WHEREAS, nearly 48,000 patients have their sight restored through cornea transplants each year; and

WHEREAS, 95% of the population have indicated that they support organ donation, and there is strong support from healthcare professionals and all organized religions; and

WHEREAS, more than 134 million people, or approximately 54% of the United States adult population, are registered donors; and

WHEREAS, in Delaware 51.5% of license and I.D. card holders have placed the organ donor designation on their driver’s license or state identification card and the number continues to grow thanks to the support of the Division of Motor Vehicles, Department of Health and Social Services, and other state agencies; and

WHEREAS, registering to become an organ, eye, and tissue donor is free and easily accessible through Delaware’s Division of Motor Vehicles; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that citizens of Delaware become aware of the importance of organ, eye, and tissue donation.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the House of Representatives of the 149th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that we hereby recognize April 2017 as "National Donate Life Month", acknowledge the generosity of donors and their families, and support organ, eye, and tissue donation and strongly encourage all Delawareans to become designated organ, eye, and tissue donors.

SYNOPSIS

This concurrent resolution recognizes April 2017 as National Donate Life Month and recognizes the generosity of donors and their families. It further encourages all Delawareans to become designated organ, eye, and tissue donors.