SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 580

WHEREAS, National Donate Life Month is being observed through April 2015, and Methodist Healthcare System in San Antonio is commemorating the occasion by kicking off a new campaign to raise awareness of the crucial need for organ donors; and

WHEREAS, According to statistics gathered by Donate Life America, nearly 124,000 men, women, and children are awaiting organ transplants in the United States, including 11,000 people in Texas alone; every 10 minutes, another name is added to this list, and an average of 18 patients die each day before a donor can be found; and

WHEREAS, Because of this critical shortage, it is imperative that every Texan be enabled and encouraged to register as an organ donor, a potentially lifesaving decision that can be made at no cost; among those working to advance this goal are Methodist Heart Hospital, a leader in heart and bone marrow transplant in San Antonio, and Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital, a respected name in live kidney and liver transplant; together, they are aiming to sign up 5,000 new donors within the next few months, with the focus of their efforts being on San Antonio and on the cities where they have outreach clinics: Corpus Christi, Laredo, McAllen, Temple, and Lubbock; and

WHEREAS, Through this campaign, Methodist Healthcare is bringing new hope to numerous patients for a longer, healthier life, and it has undertaken an endeavor that truly merits special commendation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 84th Legislature, hereby recognize Methodist Healthcare System for its efforts to educate Texans about the need for organ donors and extend to the system sincere best wishes for success in its mission.

Menéndez

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on April 20, 2015.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate