National Donate Life Month, 2003

Proclamation 7658 of April 1, 2003

National Donate Life Month, 2003

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Advances in medical research and technology are helping
our citizens to live longer and better lives. An
important aspect of these improvements is transplant
technology. Today, up to 50 lives can be saved or
enhanced by just one organ and tissue donor. During
National Donate Life Month, we honor living and
deceased donors and their families across our Nation
who have renewed the lives of others, and we call upon
more Americans to follow their example.

Through our Nation's organ and tissue donor programs,
thousands of Americans have given the gift of life. In
2002, 24,851 organ transplants and 32,744 corneal
transplants were performed in the United States. In
addition, the National Bone Marrow Donor Registry
facilitated an average of 173 transplants each month.
These donors' spirit of giving reflects the compassion
of our great Nation.

Unfortunately, the current rate of donation is
inadequate to meet the growing needs of our fellow
Americans. Nearly 81,000 of our citizens are on the
national organ transplant waiting list. Each day, an
average of 68 of these individuals receive an organ
transplant, yet another 17 on the waiting list die. As
a Nation, we must strive to meet the needs of all
Americans awaiting such donations.

Through the ``Gift of Life Donation Initiative,'' my
Administration is working to educate our Nation about
the importance of becoming a donor. During National
Donate Life Month, more than 6,000 partners, including
Federal agencies, State governments, private
industries, unions, fraternal organizations, and
associations have committed to promoting organ and
tissue donation awareness. As a result, millions of
Americans will learn about the many ways they can help
those in need and save lives.

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 2003 as National
Donate Life Month. I call upon our citizens to sign an
organ and tissue donor card and to be screened for bone
marrow donation. I also urge healthcare professionals,
volunteers, educators, government agencies, and private
organizations to help raise awareness of the important
need for organ and tissue donors in communities
throughout our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
First day of April, in the year of our Lord two
thousand three, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and twenty-seventh.

(Presidential Sig.)B