County Councilor Rick Reiss presents to Renee Roybal, left, and Kathy Walters, on behalf of the Council a proclamation declaring the Month of May as ‘Donate Life Month’ in Los Alamos County. Roybal received a heart transplant 11 years ago and Walters received a new heart 11 months ago. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Arnie Sierk was recognized at Tuesday’s Council meeting during the proclamation declaring May ‘Donate Life Month’ as he is the recipient of a new kidney and pancreas. His wife Chris Sierk is seated next to him. Photo by Carol A. Clark/ladailypost.com
Proclamation declaring the Month of May as “Donate Life Month” in Los Alamos County:
WHEREAS: National Donate Life Month provides an opportunity to honor the generous Los Alamosans who have saved the lives of others through their gift of organ, eye or tissue donation; and
WHEREAS: More than 117,000 men, women and children throughout the United States, including 715 New Mexicans, are now waiting for a transplant and listed on the National Organ Transplant List; a new name is added to the list every 12 minutes and over one million Americans will need a tissue transplant this year; and
WHEREAS: The number of patients in need of life-saving transplants surpasses the number of available organ donations – tragically, over 7,000 people died last year because they did not receive a transplant in time, which is an average of nearly 20 individuals per day; and
WHEREAS: One individual’s decision to be a donor can save up to nine patients in need of an organ transplant, and that same person can enhance the lives of up to 50 people in need of a tissue transplant; approximately 30,000 lives are saved every year because of organ donors; and
WHEREAS: Los Alamosans are generous, compassionate people, willing to help others in need, and they are encouraged to register this month as organ, eye and tissue donors by selecting this choice on their driver’s license, ID card or completing registration online at NMDONOR.org;
NOW, THEREFORE, on behalf of the Council of the Incorporated County of Los Alamos, I do hereby proclaim the Month of May 2014 as “DONATE LIFE MONTH” in Los Alamos County, and ask our citizens to consider signing up this month to be an organ donor in order to save lives.
