2009 Senate Joint Resolution 19
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: declaring April 2009 Donate Life Month.
Whereas, each year since 2003 during the month of April we recognize the critical need for organ and tissue donation and honor those individuals who have donated life; and
Whereas, the list of people awaiting organ transplants in Wisconsin numbers 1,400 names, more than half of whom have waited more than a year, and nationally more than 100,000 individuals are on the organ transplant waiting list at any given time; and
Whereas, every 13 minutes another man, woman, or child is added to the transplant waiting list; and
Whereas, there were 737 transplants performed in Wisconsin in 2007 from the generosity of 377 donors and donor families; and
Whereas, despite the success of current efforts 18 people die each day waiting for a donor organ; and
Whereas, up to 30,000 people each year are diagnosed with leukemia or other blood diseases and approximately 20,000 will not find a marrow donor match within their family and must rely upon the generosity of strangers; and
Whereas, nearly 32,000 units of blood are used in the United States every day and blood supply reserves are often low because only 5 percent of the population donates blood regularly; and
Whereas, a single individual's donation of heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas, and small intestine can save up to 8 lives, and donation of tissue can help save or enhance the lives of as many as 50 recipients; and
Whereas, almost every individual regardless of age is a potential organ, tissue, bone marrow, or blood donor; and
Whereas, transplantation has become an element of mainstream medicine that prolongs and enhances life; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the senate, the assembly concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature proclaim April 2009 as Donate Life Month in the state of Wisconsin, and commend this observance to all citizens; and, be it further
Resolved, That the members of the legislature call upon our citizens to learn about the importance of organ, tissue, bone marrow, and blood donation, to discuss such donation with their families and friends, and to make a declaration of their intentions by registering to be an organ donor with the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles or by visiting www.wisconsindonor.org and clicking on the orange dot; and, be it further
Resolved, That the senate chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to the Donate Life Wisconsin, Inc.
