[Congressional Record Volume 147, Number 169 (Friday, December 7, 2001)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2239]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      IN RECOGNITION OF MARGARET VAN DER HEIDE AND REBECCA GALUSKA

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. MICHAEL M. HONDA

                             of california

                             HON. RON KIND

                              of wisconsin

                         HON. MARTIN OLAV SABO

                              of minnesota

                         HON. KAREN L. THURMAN

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, December 6, 2001

  Mr. HONDA. Mr. Speaker, today I join with my colleagues, Rep. Kind, 
Rep. Sabo, and Rep. Thurman in recognition of Margaret Van der Heide 
and Rebecca Galuska.
  In the wake of September 11th, the American people have been donating 
at a record rate. We donate our money, our possessions, and our 
precious time to help fellow citizens throughout the nation. These 
donations are helping people rebuild their lives every day, but there 
is another type of donation that is desperately needed by Americans all 
over the country. Today, another seventeen people will be added to the 
growing list of those who wait for the donation of an organ.
  As of November 2, 2001, the United Network for Organ Sharing counted 
78,802 patients on its national waiting list for organ donation. Even 
though 22,953 people successfully received an organ last year giving 
them new life, another 5,597 people on the list died before an organ 
became available. They died because of the critical shortage of organ 
donors. Transplants are now used in the treatment of over 225 diseases; 
this dramatically increased the number of patients added to the list in 
the last ten years. However, the number of donors has not increased to 
keep up with this demand. Due to advances in technology and medicine, 
people with transplants are able to lead full and healthy lives.
  On December 20th of this year, Margaret Van der Heide of Wisconsin 
will give her daughter, Rebecca Galuska of Minnesota, a new kidney and 
a chance to live a full and active life. Organ donation is possible for 
the majority of Americans. I want to encourage all of you to talk with 
your loved ones about organ donation and get tested to be a donor. You 
may be able to give the greatest gift of all this holiday season--a new 
chance at life.

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