April 13, 2018

Rep. Correa Introduces Legislation Supporting Organ Donation Awareness

Washington, DC—Today, Congressman Correa introduced legislation to increase awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation by designating April 2018 as “National Donate Life Month.” Senator Heidi Heitkamp and Susan Collins will introduce the counterpart in the Senate.

Rep. Correa said,

“Organ donation saves lives. For Americans in need of a transplant, the donation is the difference between life and death. Right now as many as 22 people die every day waiting for an organ to become available. I am honored to stand with Senators Heitkamp and Collins in bringing more attention to the critical shortage issue. Together we can help real people live longer.”

Since 2003, April has been celebrated as National Donate Life Month. Every year, April serves as a chance to encourage organ and tissue donor registration, recognize people who continue to wait for a transplant, and honor both living and deceased donors and their families.

In the United States, one person is added to the national transplant waiting list every ten minutes. Currently, more than 110,000 individuals are awaiting an organ donation. Despite over 130 million people being registered as organ, eye, and tissue donors, the need for donated organs greatly outweighs the supply. Tragically, on average, 22 people die each day while waiting for a transplant.

Organ donation and transplantation saves lives. A single deceased organ donor can benefit up to eight individuals, and provide transplant candidates with the chance to live a longer and better life.