WHEREAS, organ, tissue, marrow and blood donation are life-giving acts recognized worldwide as expressions of compassion to those in need; and,

WHEREAS, the need for donated organs, corneas, and tissue continues to grow, with more than 120,000 people currently awaiting life-saving organ donations; and,

WHEREAS, another person is added to the national transplant waiting list every 10 minutes; and,

WHEREAS, a single individual’s donation of the heart, lungs, liver, kidneys, pancreas and small intestine can save up to eight lives; donation of tissue can save and heal the lives of up to 75 others; and a single blood donation can help three people in need; and,

WHEREAS, millions of lives each year are saved and healed by donors of organs, tissues, marrow and blood; and,

WHEREAS, the spirit of giving and decision to donate are not restricted by age or medical condition; and,

WHEREAS, 95% of Americans support the act of donation but only 54% are registered; and,

WHEREAS, millions of Californians have signed up with the state-authorized Donate Life California Registry to ensure their wishes to be organ and tissue donors are honored; and,

WHEREAS, California residents can sign up with the Donate Life California Registry when applying for or renewing their driver’s licenses or ID cards at the California Department of Motor Vehicles; and,

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that in recognition of National Donate Life Month during April, ASUCI Legislative Council supports declaring the week of April 24 – April 28, 2017 as “Donate Life Week” on the campus of UC Irvine on behalf of former ASUCI Legislative Council Member Michael Belko, who was the first in his family to become an organ/tissue donor. In doing so, we encourage our students to check “YES!” when applying for or renewing their driver’s license or I.D. card.