2015 Assembly Joint Resolution 22
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: declaring April 2015 Donate Life Month.
Whereas, each year since 2003 during the month of April we recognize the critical need for organ, eye, and tissue donation and honor those individuals who have donated life; and
Whereas, the list of people awaiting organ transplants in Wisconsin numbers more than 2,300 names, nearly half of whom have waited more than two years, and nationally more than 123,000 individuals are on the organ transplant waiting list at any given time; and
Whereas, every ten minutes another man, woman, or child is added to the national transplant waiting list; and
Whereas, there were 685 transplants performed in Wisconsin in 2013 from the generosity of 333 donors and donor families; and
Whereas, despite the success of current efforts, 21 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 eight 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 assembly, the senate concurring, That the members of the Wisconsin legislature proclaim April 2015 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 sign up to be a donor at the Wisconsin donor registry at DonorRegistry.Wisconsin.gov or through the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles, and to discuss such decision with their families and friends; and, be it further
Resolved, That the assembly chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Donate Life Wisconsin, Inc.
