[Weekly Compilation of Presidential Documents Volume 44, Number 16 (Monday, April 28, 2008)]
[Page 587]
[Online from the Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

<R04>
Statement on National Donate Life Month

April 23, 2008

    During National Donate Life Month, we show our appreciation for our 
fellow Americans who have saved lives by becoming organ, tissue, marrow, 
and blood donors, and we honor the health care professionals, 
researchers, and others involved in this lifesaving work. I was pleased 
today to meet with organ donors, medical professionals, and organ 
recipients, all of whom participated in a historic six-recipient kidney 
transplant in which six patients received new organs from six unrelated 
living donors. This history-making medical event took place 3 weeks ago 
at Johns Hopkins Comprehensive Transplant Center. These people are all 
firsthand witnesses to the gift of life, or, in this case, lives.

    We are blessed to have a health care system that is the best in the 
world and includes skilled medical professionals like those I met with 
today. We are also blessed to be a nation filled with generous and 
compassionate people. The selflessness of those who are donors is an 
inspiration.

    Unfortunately, thousands of Americans are on waiting lists for an 
organ or tissue transplant. I urge all Americans to make the decision to 
donate. For information about becoming an organ and tissue donor, go to 
organdonor.gov. Talk to your family, talk to your friends, and register. 
You can give a transforming gift of life.