HR1176 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1176 LRB099 21391 MST 47288 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, More than 116,000 people are currently waiting for an organ transplant; 21 people will die each day waiting for an organ, and one person is added to the organ donor waiting list every 10 minutes; and

WHEREAS, One organ donor can save up to eight lives and let up to 79 people receive organ transplants; a single tissue donor can save or heal up to 50 people; and

WHEREAS, More than 24,000 patients saw their lives saved or markedly improved in 2014 thanks to organ transplants; and

WHEREAS, More than 120 million people in the United States are signed up to be organ, eye, and tissue donors, which is approximately 50% of the United States adult population; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Illinois should be made aware of the need for organ donors and that everyone can become a donor, regardless of age, race, or medical history; and

WHEREAS, National Donate Life Month takes place every year in April and features an entire month of local, regional, and national activities to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois should encourage all residents 18 years and older to register as an organ donor at the same time they apply for or renew a driver's license or ID card; and

WHEREAS, Organ Donor Registration Month in the State of Illinois promotes education and awareness of how citizens can become donors and the importance of being a donor to help save lives; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize April 2016 as Organ Donor Registration Month in the State of Illinois in honor of those who have lost their lives while waiting on a transplant list, to celebrate the lives of those who have been saved through organ donation, and to thank those who have been donors.