[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 39, Number 14 (Monday, April 7, 2003)]
[Pages 403-404]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Proclamation 7658--National Donate Life Month, 2003

April 1, 2003

By the President of the United States

of America

A Proclamation

    Advances in medical research and technology are helping our citizens 
to live longer and better lives. An important aspect of these 
improvements is transplant technology. Today, up to 50 lives can be 
saved or enhanced by just one organ and tissue donor. During National 
Donate Life Month, we honor living and deceased donors and their 
families across our Nation who have renewed the lives of others, and we 
call upon more Americans to follow their example.
    Through our Nation's organ and tissue donor programs, thousands of 
Americans have given the gift of life. In 2002, 24,851 organ transplants 
and 32,744 corneal transplants were performed in the United States. In 
addition, the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry facilitated an average 
of 173 transplants each month. These donors' spirit of giving reflects 
the compassion of our great Nation.
    Unfortunately, the current rate of donation is inadequate to meet 
the growing needs of our fellow Americans. Nearly 81,000 of our citizens 
are on the national organ transplant waiting list. Each day, an average 
of 68 of these individuals receive an organ transplant, yet another 17 
on the waiting list die. As a Nation, we must strive to meet the needs 
of all Americans awaiting such donations.
    Through the ``Gift of Life Donation Initiative,'' my Administration 
is working to educate our Nation about the importance of becoming a 
donor. During National Donate Life Month, more than 6,000 partners, 
including Federal agencies, State governments, private industries, 
unions, fraternal organizations, and associations have committed to 
promoting organ and tissue donation awareness. As a result, millions of 
Americans will learn about the many ways they can help those in need and 
save lives.
    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 2003 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 
healthcare 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 First day of 
April, in the year of our Lord two thousand three, and of the

[[Page 404]]

Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and twenty-
seventh.
                                                George W. Bush

[Filed with the Office of the Federal Register, 8:45 a.m., April 3, 
2003]

Note: This proclamation was released by the Office of the Press 
Secretary on April 2, and it was published in the Federal Register on 
April 4.