SPONSOR:

Sen. McBride & Sen. Townsend on behalf of all Senators & Rep. Schwartzkopf & Rep. Longhurst on behalf of all Representatives

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

150th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 34

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2019 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, during "National Donate Life Month," we honor the compassion and generosity of registered donors, donor families, and living donors, and recognize the commitment of researchers, innovators, champions, regional partners, and medical professionals who work tirelessly to save and heal lives through transplantation; and

WHEREAS, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing ( " UNOS " ), in 2017, more than 34,000 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 114,000 men, women, and children await organ transplants nationwide; and

WHEREAS, another person is added to the waiting list every 10 minutes, and on average 22 people die every day because the organs they need are not donated in time; and

WHEREAS, the organ transplant waiting list includes more than 400 Delawareans, while many others benefit from tissue transplants that greatly enhance their quality of life; and

WHEREAS, by becoming an organ, eye, and tissue donor, one individual can save and heal the lives of more than 75 people; 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 145.5 million people, or approximately 55% of the adult population of the United States are registered donors; and

WHEREAS, in Delaware, 52% 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, the most effective way to address this public health crisis is to educate citizens and to encourage them to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors at donors1.org or through Delaware’s Division of Motor Vehicles;

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the 150th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the Senate concurring therein, that the month of April, 2019, is recognized as “National Donate Life Month” in the State of Delaware, acknowledging the generosity of donors and their families, supporting organ, eye, and tissue donation, and strongly encouraging all Delawareans to become designated organ, eye, and tissue donors.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution supports designating the month of April 2019 as "National Donate Life Month" in the State of Delaware, thereby recognizing and acknowledging the generosity of donors who have donated organ, eye, and tissue and their families, as well as supporting and encouraging all Delawareans to become designated organ, eye, and tissue donors.

Author: Senator McBride