National Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Week, 2002

Proclamation 7544 of 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.

(Presidential Sig.)B