Title
To proclaim April as Donate Life Month in the City of Columbus and to encourage residents to give consideration to sharing the gift of life through organ, eye, and tissue donation.
Body
WHEREAS, More than 113,600 men, women, and children are currently awaiting a life-saving organ transplant in the United States- Approximately 20 people die each day because of the lack of an available organ - in Ohio there are approximately 3,000 people awaiting an organ transplant at any one time - in fact in Central Ohio there are more than 675 men, women and children currently listed for an organ transplant at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Nationwide Children’s Hospital; and
WHEREAS, the high prevalence of diabetes, hypertension, obesity, hepatitis B and C, results in racial minorities being disproportionally represented on transplant waiting lists - Organ transplantation positively impacts patient survival but greater access is limited by a severe donor shortage - African Americans make up the largest group in need of a transplant - in 2015 only 17% of African Americans needing a transplant received one; and
WHEREAS, A single donor can potentially save the lives of eight people through organ donation by donating their heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidneys and small intestine, and enhance the lives of more than 50 others through tissue donation by donating corneas, veins, heart valves, fascia, bone, skins, tendons, ligaments and nerves; and
WHEREAS, Lifeline of Ohio is the designated organ procurement organization dedicated to promoting and coordinating the donation of organs and tissue for transplantation in this area; and
WHEREAS, National Blue and Green Day will be celebrated by Lifeline of Ohio on April 12, 2019 - this is a nationwide celebration that encourages Americans to wear shades of blue and/or green in support of organ, eye and tissue donation - this event will draw attention to the need for more registered donors to save and heal those who are waiting for their second chance at life through organ, eye and tissue donations which give the Gift of Life; and
WHEREAS, More than 5.7 million Ohioans have made the important decision to register as an organ, eye and tissue donor in the Ohio Donor Registry; moreover the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles makes it easy to register your advanced directive decision to become an organ or tissue donor on a driver license or state identification card, by signing up on-line at lifelineofohio.org or by filling out a paper registration form; and
WHEREAS, Discussing your wishes regarding donation is one of the most important additional steps a family can take; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: That this Council does hereby declare the month of April 2019 as Donate Life Month in the City of Columbus and encourage residents to give consideration to sharing the Gift of Life through an organ, eye, and tissue donation.
]