Recognizing April as National Donate Life Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring the life-saving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation, as well as celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Gift of Life Donor Program.

Recognizing April as National Donate Life Month in the City of Philadelphia and honoring the life-saving impact of organ, eye, and tissue donation, as well as celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Gift of Life Donor Program. WHEREAS, National Donate Life Month (NDLM) was established in 2003 by Donate Life America and its partnering organizations to raise awareness about organ, eye, and tissue donation and to encourage Americans to register as donors; and WHEREAS, NDLM is observed each April to honor those who have saved lives through the gift of donation, recognize the ongoing need for donors, and inspire individuals to make the selfless decision to register as organ and tissue donors; and WHEREAS, The need for organ donors remains a critical public health issue, with more than 100,000 people in the United States currently waiting for a life-saving transplant, and an average of 17 people dying each day while waiting for an organ; and WHEREAS, Of the areas served by the Gift of Life Donor Program, approximately 5,000 people are awaiting transplants, including 1,218 residents of the City of Philadelphia. Among Philadelphia residents, 1,062 require a kidney transplant, largely due to diabetes and kidney disease conditions that disproportionately affect Black communities; and WHEREAS, Philadelphia, a minority-majority city, faces stark disparities in organ transplantation, with African Americans making up 43.6% of the population but accounting for more than 71% of those awaitin…