Local News
Donate Life Month
Madison… State Representative Joan Ballweg (R-Markesan) brought forward Assembly Joint Resolution 22 today, declaring April 2015 as Donate Life Month in Wisconsin. The resolution was adopted unanimously and now moves to the state Senate.
“There are currently 2,300 names on Wisconsin’s organ transplant waiting list,” said Rep. Ballweg. “Spreading awareness of the need for organ donation through efforts like this joint resolution are powerful tools that help save lives.”
Every ten minutes another man, woman, or child is added to the national transplant waiting list. In 2013, 685 transplants were performed because of the generosity of 333 donors and donor families.
In attendance today was a representative from Donate Life Wisconsin and BloodCenter of Wisconsin. Today, Rep. Ballweg presented the resolution to Anne Krueger, who currently serves as the vice-president of Donate Life Wisconsin.
Organ donation is just one way to give the gift of life. Blood and bone marrow donations are also in high demand. Each year, up to 30,000 people are diagnosed with diseases that require bone marrow donations, and approximately 20,000 of those individuals will rely on the generosity of a stranger. Only five percent of Americans regularly donate blood and because of this, supply reserves are often low and in need of additional donations. To learn more about these efforts, visit DonateLifeWisconsin.org.
Follow the 41st Assembly District by liking the Wisconsin State Representative Joan Ballweg Facebook page (www.facebook.com/WIRepBallweg).
Photo credit: Jay Salvo
***Hannah D’Cunha, Rep. Joan Ballweg, Anne Krueger