Proclamation
WHEREAS, Donor Network West serves as the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization in Northern/Central California and Northern Nevada and works in close partnership with families, doctors, nurses, sheriffs, and coroners in hospitals to connect donors to recipient; and WHEREAS, more than 230 individuals in Merced County are currently on the national organ transplant waiting list, and 22 patients die each day due to the shortage of donated organs; 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 WHEREAS, organ and tissue donations are life-giving acts recognized worldwide as expressions of compassion to those in need that save thousands of lives each year; and WHEREAS, the need for donated organs is especially urgent in Hispanic, Asian and African American communities; and WHEREAS, California residents can sign up with the Donate Life California Donor Registry when applying for or renewing their driver’s licenses or ID cards at the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Matthew serratto, Mayor of the City of Merced, on behalf of the City Council hereby proclaim April 2023 as “National Donate Life Month” in the City of Merced, and in doing so encourage all Californians to check “YES!” when applying for or renewing their driver’s license or I.D. card, or by signing up at donornetworkwest.org.
Signed this 20th day of March 2023.
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Matthew Serratto, Mayor of Merced