National Donate Life Month, 2007

Proclamation 8118 of March 28, 2007

National Donate Life Month, 2007

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

Donating organs, marrow, and tissue is a kind and
compassionate act that can protect and enhance the
precious gift of life. During National Donate Life
Month, we recognize the generosity of donors and raise
awareness of the importance of donating.

In recent years, there has been great progress in this
important effort, and the rate of organ donation has
steadily increased--helping save thousands of lives.
Despite this success, more than 95,000 Americans
currently await organ transplants, and hundreds more
are added to the transplant list each month. My
Administration strongly supports organ, marrow, and
tissue donation, and we are working with public and
private groups to help more citizens understand the
impact of organ donation.

Americans who wish to become organ and tissue donors
can register with their State's donor registry,
designate their intent on their driver's license, and
sign and carry donor cards, which are available at
organdonor.gov. I urge all citizens to consider
becoming donors and encourage all donors to inform
their loved ones of their decision so their wishes can
be fulfilled. Every human life holds inherent dignity
and matchless value, and National Donate Life Month is
an opportunity to celebrate our country's organ and
tissue donors. The decision to donate the gift of life
demonstrates the compassionate spirit of our Nation.

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 2007 as National
Donate Life Month. I call upon health care
professionals, volunteers, educators, government
agencies, faith-based and community groups, and private
organizations to help raise awareness of the urgent
need for organ and tissue donors throughout our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this
twenty-eighth day of March, in the year of our Lord two
thousand seven, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-first.