WHEREAS
, organ and tissue transplantation has been recognized as a lifesaving and corrective medical procedure; and
WHEREAS
, one ordinary person has the extraordinary power to save or enhance more than 50 lives by saying “yes” to organ and tissue donation on his or her driver’s license. Advanced medical technology and drugs to offset rejection of organs have allowed hundreds of Philadelphians each year to receive a second chance at life and lead active, productive lives. Every day lives are changed through kidney, heart, liver, pancreas, lung, cornea, skin, bone and heart valve transplants; and
WHEREAS
, organ and tissue donors give the greatest gift possible – the gift of life. Offering to donate organs or tissue is something any one of us can do. You don’t have to be young or even completely healthy – you only have to be willing and say yes to becoming a donor; and
WHEREAS
, nationwide, while more than 98,000 people are waiting for a life-saving organ transplant and hundreds of thousands more would benefit for a life-enhancing tissue transplant, the number of people in need of transplants far exceed the number of organs available. Nationally, 18 people die each day while waiting for a transplant because of this critical shortage; and
WHEREAS
, designating your intent to donate on your driver’s license and talking to others about donation are ways in which you can support organ and tissue donation and transplantation. Participation in community-based events such as the 13th annual Dash for Organ Donor Awareness to be held on Sunday April 20th at the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum is another way to address and alleviate the critical shortage of organ and tissue donors that exists within our City. City Council urges all residents of Philadelphia to consider the importance and life-sustaining value of organ and tissue donation; now therefore, be it,
RESOLVED that the City Council of Philadelphia, declares April 20-27 as Philadelphia Donate Life Week in the City of Philadelphia; and
FURTHER RESOLVED that an engrossed copy of this Resolution be presented to the Gift of Life Donor Program as a sincere expression of City Council’s appreciation and support for this important organization.
End