HJ0071 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HJ0071 LRB096 14438 GRL 29260 r

HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Patients in Illinois hospitals require a year-round supply of donated blood; and

WHEREAS, There are no substitutes or replacements for blood; and

WHEREAS, Each year, the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers collects more than 570,000 blood donations to care for patients in 175 hospitals throughout 71 Illinois counties; and

WHEREAS, The Coalition's nearly 1,500 blood collection professionals in Illinois are integral to the donation process and serve as the stewards of the State's blood supply; and

WHEREAS, The professionalism exuded by these dedicated individuals helps to ensure repeat donations, which is central to maintain an adequate blood supply; and

WHEREAS, Blood collection professionals provide a critical service to the communities and patients they support by helping to improve and save lives on a daily basis; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes the importance of blood donation through the Blood Donation Act, the Employee Blood Donation Leave Act, and the Organ Donor Act; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we designate the week of September 13-19, 2009 as "Blood Collectors Week" in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we encourage the citizens of Illinois to join in the life-saving work of blood collection organizations by donating blood in their communities.