SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6567

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As Reported by Senate Committee On:

State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections, February 5, 2020

Title: An act relating to recognizing the eighteenth day of December as blood donor day.

Brief Description: Recognizing the eighteenth day of December as blood donor day.

Sponsors: Senators Frockt, Conway, Short, Pedersen, Cleveland, Kuderer, Randall, Hunt, Saldaña, Takko, Wellman and Wilson, C.

Committee Activity: State Government, Tribal Relations & Elections: 2/05/20, 2/05/20 [DP].

Brief Summary of Bill

Recognizes December 18th as Blood Donor Day.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT, TRIBAL RELATIONS & ELECTIONS

Majority Report: Do pass.

Signed by Senators Hunt, Chair; Kuderer, Vice Chair; Zeiger, Ranking Member; Hasegawa, Hawkins and Takko.

Staff: Melissa Van Gorkom (786-7491)

Background: Apart from state legal holidays, the state identifies certain days of recognition throughout the year. Such recognition dates commemorate an event, individual, or groups of persons.

Every year different organizations recognize the lifesaving contribution of blood and platelet donors. The American Red Cross celebrates National Blood Donor Month in January and World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on June 14th. National Blood Donor Month has been observed since 1970 with the goal of increasing blood and platelet donations during winter—one of the most difficult times of year to collect enough blood products to meet patient needs.

On December 18, 2017, the Amtrak Cascades passenger train 501 derailed south of DuPont, Washington, near Olympia. Several passenger railcars fell onto Interstate 5 and hit multiple highway vehicles, killing 3 passengers and injuring 65 people, many of which were transported to local hospitals for treatment. Within hours of the derailment, the Governor declared a state of emergency and activated the Emergency Operations Center at Camp Murray to coordinate the multi-agency response to the incident, which included the need for local blood centers to facilitate blood donations to treat injured passengers.

Summary of Bill: December 18th is recognized as Blood Donor Day, but is not considered a legal holiday for any purpose.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: My dad Hunter Goodman, former Secretary of the Washington State Senate, fought kidney cancer for seven years and received countless blood transfusions. Without blood from Bloodworks NW he would not have survived the initial surgery to remove his kidney which was filled with cancer; nor would he have survived the final surgery to remove another tumor from his spine. The human body holds approximately 10 units of blood, and my dad lost and received 100 percent of his blood during his last surgery and received even more blood during the days following the surgery. Thanks to the donations from people who did not know him we got seven more years with him. Many people take the blood supply for granted, but without donors so many people would not have this life saving blood. These donors save and extend lives and we should give thanks and honor them.

It is estimated that over 90 percent of people will need blood during our lives, but only 10 percent give blood. Of 38 percent of eligible adults who can donate in the state of Washington, less than 3 percent of people are donating blood. Part of this is the lack of awareness for the need for blood and knowledge about how to donate. This is meant to be a statewide effort to raise awareness for donating blood. Having a designated blood donor day will provide one more opportunity to make the public aware of the need and a reminder about the opportunity and locations to donate. The more people are reminded, the more we see an increase in blood donation. Each donation saves three lives. Please help bring visibility to donating blood and remind citizens that 60 short minutes of their time can save 3 lives.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Grayson Goodman, Citizen; Rich Green, Bloodworks NW; Kendra Hogenson, Citizen; Juan Cotto, Bloodworks NW.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.