88R14685 CJM-D
By: Wu H.R. No. 317
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Bone Marrow, Blood, and Organ Donation Registry Day
was observed in Texas on February 26, 2023; and
WHEREAS, Each year, Bone Marrow, Blood, and Organ Donation
Registry Day encourages citizens across the Lone Star State to
register to become donors and to participate in local blood drives;
while donations play an essential role in a broad range of critical
medical treatments, only two percent of the population is on the
national registry for bone marrow, and only about half of Americans
are signed up to be organ donors; moreover, while an estimated 37
percent of U.S. residents are eligible to donate blood, less than 10
percent of that group actually does so each year; and
WHEREAS, A single organ donor can save up to eight lives and
enhance the lives of up to 75 others; there are currently over
105,000 individuals on the national transplant waiting list, with a
new name added every 10 minutes; although there are more than 40,000
transplants performed annually, 17 people die each day while
waiting for organs to become available; and
WHEREAS, Bone Marrow, Blood, and Organ Donation Registry Day
was initiated to honor Dr. Anh Nguyen Reiss, a Houston physician
who was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome and who dedicated
the last years of her life to raising awareness of the need for bone
marrow donors; though she passed away on February 26, 2016, at the
age of 48, she and her family and friends helped more than double
the number of Vietnamese donors on the registry; on May 29, 2019,
Governor Greg Abbott signed a bill of the 86th Texas Legislature to
designate February 26 as Bone Marrow, Blood, and Organ Donation
Registry Day; and
WHEREAS, Bone marrow, blood, and organ donation can give hope
to countless Americans for longer, healthier lives, and this worthy
cause is one that deserves the earnest support of every citizen;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas
Legislature hereby commemorate Bone Marrow, Blood, and Organ
Donation Registry Day 2023 and encourage all Texans to give blood
and to sign up to become organ and bone marrow donors.