THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY PETRARCA, MARCH 3, 2011

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, MARCH 3, 2011  

A RESOLUTION

Designating April 6, 2011, as "Pennsylvania Organ and Tissue

Donor Awareness Day."

WHEREAS, Organ and tissue transplantation has been recognized

as a corrective and lifesaving medical procedure; and

WHEREAS, Each person who donates organs and tissue can

potentially save or enhance more than 50 lives and take eight

people off the organ transplant waiting list; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that more than 110,000 people are

waiting for lifesaving organ transplants in the United States;

and

WHEREAS, Approximately 8,000 individuals in Pennsylvania are

awaiting lifesaving organ donations; and

WHEREAS, On average, one person will die each day in

Pennsylvania waiting for lifesaving organ and tissue

transplants; and

WHEREAS, Each year approximately 6,600 individuals in the

United States give the gift of life through organ donation after

death; and

WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has 17 transplant centers and is

recognized as a world leader in organ and tissue

transplantation; and

WHEREAS, State law enables citizens to donate their organs

and tissues through placing the donor designation on their

driver's licenses or State identification cards and also allows

relatives to consent to the donation of organs and tissues of a

deceased family member; and

WHEREAS, A vital component of the continuation and

advancement of organ transplantation is the recovery of donor

organs and tissues; and

WHEREAS, The lifesaving work of transplant team medical

professionals and researchers to improve surgical techniques and

antirejection drugs has resulted in a significantly increased

success rate for organ transplantation; and

WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is a national and international leader

in the field of donation and transplantation, but the number of

people in need of transplants for exceeds the number of organs

and the amount of tissue available; and

WHEREAS, Despite the progress made in Pennsylvania's Organ

and Tissue Donor Awareness Program, the growing demand for

donated organs and tissues for transplantation represents a

public health issue which merits action; and

WHEREAS, If Pennsylvania is to remain a leader in organ and

tissue donation and transplantation it is necessary that the

pronouncements and public policies of State government both

encourage and promote organ and tissue donation; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate April

6, 2011, as "Pennsylvania Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Day";

and be it further

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all

Pennsylvanians to designate themselves as an organ and tissue

donor on their Pennsylvania driver's licenses or State

identification cards or by registering online at

www.donatelife-pa.org and to share this decision with their

families and friends.