[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 125, 112th Congress, 1st Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 8642 of March 31, 2011

National Donate Life Month, 2011
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Americans have always been a generous people, willing to give to others
in need. In these challenging times, that spirit of service has been
abundantly evident and has made a real difference in many lives. As we
observe National Donate Life Month, we reflect on an important
opportunity to aid others--bestowing the gift of life through organ and
tissue donation.
More than 110,000 individuals are now on the national waiting list for
organ transplants, and the list continues to grow. Each year, the number
of Americans needing life-saving donations has far outstripped the
number of available donors. As a result, people lose their lives each
day while waiting.
When each donation can touch dozens of lives, it has never been more
important to make the decision to be an organ and tissue donor. I
encourage all Americans to say yes to donation by giving blood regularly
and joining their State-based donor registry. Individuals can register
online or through the registration or renewal process for a driver's
license or identification card. When considering organ donation,
Americans should consult their family members, doctor, or faith leader
about the decision to donate life. To find out more about donation and
how you can register in your State, be sure to visit:
www.OrganDonor.gov.

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Together, we can all make the choice to save and improve the lives of
Americans across our country.
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 2011 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 and
tissue donors throughout our Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eleven, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-
fifth.
BARACK OBAMA