[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 66 (Wednesday, April 7, 2010)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 17843-17844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-8026]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 75 , No. 66 / Wednesday, April 7, 2010 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 17843]]


                Proclamation 8491 of April 1, 2010

                
National Donate Life Month, 2010

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                As Americans, we can demonstrate our commitment to one 
                another in the most difficult of circumstances through 
                organ, tissue, stem cell, and blood donation. During 
                National Donate Life Month, we honor donors who provide 
                others with a second chance for a healthy life and 
                encourage more Americans to share this precious gift.

                Today, over 100,000 Americans await donation on the 
                Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network waiting 
                list. Many will receive a lifesaving transplant, but, 
                for some, help will not come fast enough. Whether they 
                are coping with kidney failure or recovering from 
                severe injuries, these individuals' lives depend on the 
                compassion of a loved one or a complete stranger. 
                Across our country, we face a shortage of donors and an 
                urgent need for help. We must respond with the spirit 
                of generosity that has always defined our national 
                character.

                Each organ or tissue donor can save many lives, and 
                becoming one is simple: join your State's donor 
                registry, indicate your decision on your driver's 
                license, and inform loved ones of your decision. There 
                is no age limit for donors, and because some conditions 
                and blood types are more common in certain ethnic and 
                racial populations, the Department of Health and Human 
                Services especially encourages minorities to consider 
                donation.

                Visit OrganDonor.gov to learn more about the urgent 
                need for donors and to find resources on how to donate. 
                Together, we can save lives and give hope to countless 
                American families.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim April 2010 as 
                National Donate Life Month. I call upon health care 
                professionals, volunteers, educators, government 
                agencies, faith-based and community groups, and private 
                organizations to join forces to boost the number of 
                organ, tissue, blood, and stem cell donors throughout 
                our Nation.

[[Page 17844]]

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                first day of April, in the year of our Lord two 
                thousand ten, and of the Independence of the United 
                States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth. 
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2010-8026
Filed 4-6-10; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3195-W0-P