For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
April 19, 2002
National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, 2002
By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation
Our Nation's organ and tissue donor program is an important part of
our healthcare system. Through the organ donor program, Americans can
provide hope to those who face difficult and often life-threatening
conditions caused by the failure of vital organs. The selfless
generosity of organ and tissue donors helps meet a significant and
growing need in our country.
Statistics show that approximately 60 Americans receive a
transplant every day. However, at the same time, another 15 people die
because not enough organs are available. There are more than 79,500
patients waiting for an organ transplant, and another person joins the
waiting list every 13 minutes.
My Administration is committed to expanding the organ and tissue
program to close this gap. Last year, Secretary of Health and Human
Services (HHS) Tommy Thompson assumed leadership of this effort through
the "Gift of Life Donation Initiative." This Initiative involves
collaboration among businesses and employees to make organ donation
information more available. It also includes the development of a
national forum on donor registries, a new model donor card, and
increased cooperation between HHS, other Federal agencies, and State
governments to promote donor awareness.
Every day, Americans across our Nation provide help for those in
need in countless ways. During this week, we renew our efforts to
foster this compassion and to help save lives by promoting organ and
tissue donation.
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 21 through
April 27, 2002, as National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week. I
call upon all medical professionals, educators, volunteers, government
agencies, and private organizations to join me in raising awareness of
the need for organ donors in communities throughout our Nation.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this nineteenth day
of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand two, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
twenty-sixth.
GEORGE W. BUSH
# # #
|