Senators Collins, Warren Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Designate April as National Donate Life Month

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) introduced a resolution to designate April 2019 as National Donate Life Month.  

The resolution aims to raise awareness about how organ and tissue donations can save lives and encourages 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 passed unanimously in the U.S. Senate in 2018.

“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.” 

“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.”

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.

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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