[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 118, 108th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

Proclamation 7769 of April 8, 2004


 
National Donate Life Month, 2004


By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first successful organ
transplant in the United States. Since that time, organ and tissue
transplantation have significantly increased, and last year, more than
25,000 Americans received an organ transplant. National Donate Life
Month provides the opportunity to raise awareness about organ and tissue
donation and the importance of sharing your decision to donate with your
family.

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While medical advances are enabling Americans to receive lifesaving
transplants, there are not enough donors to help everyone in need. Last
year, close to 6,000 Americans died while waiting for organ transplants.
Currently, more than 84,000 of our citizens are on the waiting list for
a donation, and approximately 30,000 people will be diagnosed with
diseases that a bone marrow transplant could cure.
My Administration is committed to increasing organ and tissue donation.
I have included nearly $25 million in my 2005 budget proposal for organ
procurement and transplantation efforts at the Department of Health and
Human Services and nearly $23 million to support a bone marrow donor
registry. In addition, we continue to increase donations through the
``Gift of Life Donation Initiative.''; This campaign encourages
businesses and organizations to make information on donation available
to their employees, volunteers, and members, provides donor cards for
individuals to carry with them, promotes the development of donor
registries, and encourages States to educate teenagers on donation
through their drivers' education classes. To make organ donation more
viable, I recently signed into law the Organ Donation and Recovery
Improvement Act. The Act authorizes the awarding of grants for travel
reimbursement to potential donors and helps to increase public awareness
and education about organ donation programs.
After a person decides to be a donor, one of the most important things
he or she needs to do is talk with family members about this decision.
Many opportunities are missed each year because families do not know
what their loved ones wanted. During National Donate Life Month, we
honor our Nation's organ and tissue donors and their families. Their
decision to share the gift of life through America's donor programs
serves as a positive example for all our citizens.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2004 as National
Donate Life Month. I call upon our citizens to sign an organ and tissue
donor card and to be screened for bone marrow donation. I also urge
health care professionals, volunteers, educators, government agencies,
and private organizations to help raise awareness of the important need
for organ and tissue donors in communities throughout our Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighth day of
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand four, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
eighth.
GEORGE W. BUSH

PROCLAMATION 7770--APR. 9, 2004