2019 Senate Joint Resolution 16
ENROLLED JOINT RESOLUTION
Relating to: proclaiming April 2019 as Donate Life Month in the state of Wisconsin.
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 almost 2,000 names, nearly half of whom have waited more than two years, and nationally, nearly 114,000 individuals are on the national organ transplant waiting list; and
Whereas, every ten minutes, another man, woman, or child is added to the national transplant waiting list; and
Whereas, there were 780 transplants performed in Wisconsin in 2018 from the generosity of 367 donors and donor families; and
Whereas, despite the success of current efforts, 22 people die in the United States each day waiting for a donor organ; and
Whereas, up to 60,000 people each year are diagnosed with leukemia or other blood diseases, and approximately 50,000 will not find a marrow donor match within their family and must rely upon the generosity of strangers; and
Whereas, nearly 38,000 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 75 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 2019 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 in English or Spanish at the Wisconsin donor registry, 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 senate chief clerk shall provide a copy of this joint resolution to Donate Life Wisconsin, Inc.
