Washington, DC – United States Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) yesterday introduced a resolution to designate April 2019 as National Donate Life Month.  The resolution aims to help raise awareness about how organ and tissue donations can save lives and helps encourage individuals to register as organ donors.  Today, there are more than 114,000 people waiting for an organ donation that could save their lives.  Each day about 20 people die while waiting for this life-saving gift, and every 10 minutes another individual is added to the national organ transplant waiting list.  The resolution passedunanimously in the U.S. Senate in 2018.

 

“Reminding people that they can become organ donors by simply checking a box on their driver’s licenses is one step the government can take to help save lives,”said Senator Warren. “Our bipartisan resolution to make April a time to educate Americans about this option was passed unanimously in the Senate last year, and I hope to see it passed quickly this year too.”

 

“Thanks to the selfless actions by organ donors, thousands of transplant procedures are performed in the United States each year.  Individuals who choose to be organ donors save lives,” said Senator Collins. “This resolution recognizes each individual who has helped to give the gift of life by supporting, promoting, and encouraging organ donation.” 

 

The resolution is supported by Donate Life America, the National Kidney Foundation, the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations, American Kidney Fund, New England Donor Services, American Heart Association, and American Lung Association.

 

“New England Donor Services appreciates Senator Warren’s recognition of Donate Life Month and her efforts to raise awareness of the continued need for individuals to register as organ donors.  It is easy to save a life through donation by registering at www.RegisterMe.org. All of us have the power to donate life and be a hero to someone awaiting a transplant.”

 

Individuals interested in becoming an organ donor can register at www.RegisterMe.org. Registering is also as simple as changing your donor status on your driver’s license, which can be done online or by visiting your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

 

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