National Donate Life Month, 2010

Proclamation 8491 of April 1, 2010

National Donate Life Month, 2010

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

As Americans, we can demonstrate our commitment to one
another in the most difficult of circumstances through
organ, tissue, stem cell, and blood donation. During
National Donate Life Month, we honor donors who provide
others with a second chance for a healthy life and
encourage more Americans to share this precious gift.

Today, over 100,000 Americans await donation on the
Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network waiting
list. Many will receive a lifesaving transplant, but,
for some, help will not come fast enough. Whether they
are coping with kidney failure or recovering from
severe injuries, these individuals' lives depend on the
compassion of a loved one or a complete stranger.
Across our country, we face a shortage of donors and an
urgent need for help. We must respond with the spirit
of generosity that has always defined our national
character.

Each organ or tissue donor can save many lives, and
becoming one is simple: join your State's donor
registry, indicate your decision on your driver's
license, and inform loved ones of your decision. There
is no age limit for donors, and because some conditions
and blood types are more common in certain ethnic and
racial populations, the Department of Health and Human
Services especially encourages minorities to consider
donation.

Visit OrganDonor.gov to learn more about the urgent
need for donors and to find resources on how to donate.
Together, we can save lives and give hope to countless
American families.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the
United States of America, by virtue of the authority
vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the
United States, do hereby proclaim April 2010 as
National Donate Life Month. I call upon health care
professionals, volunteers, educators, government
agencies, faith-based and community groups, and private
organizations to join forces to boost the number of
organ, tissue, blood, and stem cell donors 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 ten, and of the Independence of the United
States of America the two hundred and thirty-fourth.