SENATE RESOLUTION

8641

BySenators Rivers, Kuderer, Wellman, Brown, Becker, Das, Hunt, King, Lovelett, McCoy, O'Ban, Padden, Short, Wagoner, and Warnick

WHEREAS, Many Washington citizens have literally given the gift of life by donating organs, eyes, and tissue; and

WHEREAS, It is essential that all citizens are aware of the opportunity to save and heal the lives of others through organ, eye, and tissue donation and transplantation; and

WHEREAS, There are more than one hundred fourteen thousand courageous Americans awaiting a lifesaving organ transplant, with twenty individuals losing their lives every day because of the shortage of organs for transplant; and

WHEREAS, Every ten minutes, a person is added to the national organ transplant waiting list; and

WHEREAS, One organ donor can save the lives of up to eight people and heal many more through cornea and tissue donation; and

WHEREAS, Families receive comfort through the grieving process with the knowledge that through organ, eye, and tissue donation, another person's life has been saved or healed; and

WHEREAS, Organ donation offers transplant recipients a second chance at life, enabling them to be with their families and maintain a higher quality of life; and

WHEREAS, The families of organ, eye, and tissue donors receive gratitude from grateful recipients whose lives have been saved by transplantation; and

WHEREAS, The example set by those who choose to donate reflects the character and compassion of these individuals, whose voluntary choice saves the lives of others; and

WHEREAS, Donate Life America has designated April as National Donate Life Month; and celebrated in our state with LifeCenter Northwest;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate honor April as National Donate Life Month to encourage Washington residents to register to be a donor, remember those who have donated, and celebrate the lives of the recipients.