Whereas, More than 2,400 Michigan residents are currently waiting for a life-saving
organ donation and 16 will die each month due to the serious lack of organ donors;
and,
Whereas, Every year, over 1,500 Michigan citizens gain a new outlook on life
as a result of the Gift of Sight through corneal transplant; and,
Whereas, The need for organ, tissue and eye donation grows daily, the critical
donor shortage remains a public health crisis; and,
Whereas, Greater awareness and education about the need for organ, tissue
and eye donation is crucial if we are to increase the number of names on the
Gift of Life Organ and Tissue Donor Registry and save more lives; and,
Whereas, It is important for people to discuss organ, tissue and eye donation
with their families, enroll on the Gift of Life Organ and Tissue Donor Registry
and sign the back of their driver’s license to ensure their organ donor
wishes are known; and,
Whereas, Organ, tissue and eye donation can provide families who are tragically
confronted by the death of a loved one the comfort of knowing the gift of donated
organs and tissues endows another person with renewed hope for a healthy life;
and,
Whereas, Giving life through organ, tissue and eye donation to someone facing
imminent death or living with blindness or a disability is the ultimate act
of generosity and kindness we as Michigan citizens can perform; and,
Whereas, In addition to Michigan’s continued recognition of April as
Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness Month, for the first time in history the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services is declaring April as “National
Donate Life Month”; and now therefore be it
Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State
of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 2003 as Organ and Tissue Donor Awareness
Month in Michigan, and I urge all citizens to recognize the importance of organ,
tissue and eye donation and to discuss the possibility of donation with family
members.
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