S.Res. 425 — Introduced in Senate

III 113th CONGRESS 2d Session S. RES. 425 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES April 29, 2014 Mr. Casey submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions RESOLUTION Expressing support for the goals and ideals of National Donate Life Month. Whereas in March 2014, over 118,800 individuals were on the official waiting list for organ donation managed by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network; Whereas in 2013, 31,422 organs from 14,257 donors (including both living and deceased donors) were transplanted into 28,952 patients, yet 6,123 candidates for transplantation died while waiting for an organ transplant; Whereas on average, 18 people die every day of every year while waiting for an organ donation; Whereas over 100,000,000 people in the United States are registered to be organ and tissue donors, yet the demand for donated organs still outweighs the supply of organs made available each day; Whereas many people do not know about their options for organ and tissue donation, or have not made their wishes clear to their families; Whereas organ and tissue donation can give meaning to the tragic loss of a loved one by enabling up to 8 people to receive the gift of life from a single deceased donor; Whereas living donors can donate a kidney or a portion of a lung or 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— (1) supports the goals and ideals of National Donate Life Month; (2) supports promoting awareness of organ donation; (3) encourages States, localities, and the territories and possessions of the United States to support the goals and ideals of National Donate Life Month by issuing proclamations designating April 2014 as National Donate Life Month; (4) commends the generous gift of life provided by individuals who indicate their wish to become organ donors; (5) acknowledges the grief of families facing the loss of a loved one and commends those families who, in their grief, choose to donate the organs of their deceased family member; (6) recognizes the generous contribution made by each living individual who has donated an organ to save a life; (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 all individuals who have helped to give the gift of life by supporting, promoting, and encouraging organ donation.