[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 132, 115th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9715 of March 29, 2018

National Donate Life Month, 2018

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Americans celebrate the blessing of life in many ways, but perhaps none
is more transformative than their choice to donate organs or tissue to
family members, friends, or to people they may not ever meet. During
National Donate Life Month, we honor our Nation's organ and tissue
donors for their decision to give the precious gift of life to someone
in need. We also give thanks to the many remarkable medical
professionals, scientists, and researchers who have dedicated themselves
to improving the health of others.
My Administration supports efforts to raise awareness about the life-
saving power of organ donation. The Organ Procurement and
Transplantation Network reports that, in 2017, there were nearly 35,000
transplants performed, a 3.4 percent increase from 2016, and the fifth
consecutive record-setting year for transplants in the United States.
Last year, more than 16,000 living and deceased individuals donated the
gift of life to someone in need through an organ or tissue donation.
Every person, regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, or economic
status, has the power and the potential to transform a life through
organ and tissue donation. Despite record setting years, we are still
working to overcome a gap between the availability of organs and people
in need of an organ donation. Today, nearly 115,000 Americans are
awaiting a lifesaving transplant, and a new name appears on the national
transplant waiting list every 10 minutes. Amazingly, 1 donor can save up
to 8 lives through organ donation and enhance the lives of up to 50
people through tissue donation. This month, I encourage all Americans to
consider participating in the gift of life by becoming organ and tissue
donors.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, 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 2018 as National
Donate Life Month. I call upon health professionals, volunteers,
educators, government agencies, faith-based and commu

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nity groups, and private organizations to help raise awareness of the
urgent need for organ and tissue donors throughout our Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-ninth day of
March, in the year of our Lord two thousand eighteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-
second.
DONALD J. TRUMP