SJ150: Commending United Network for Organ Sharing.


SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 150
Commending United Network for Organ Sharing.
 
Agreed to by the Senate, February 20, 2014
Agreed to by the House of Delegates, February 28, 2014
 

WHEREAS, United Network for Organ Sharing, a nonprofit organization in Richmond, proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary in March 2014; and

WHEREAS, one result of the numerous medical and scientific advances that have harnessed technology, created life-sustaining therapies, and transformed health care and many lives in the process is organ transplantation; and

WHEREAS, transplantation may be necessary when a person’s organ has failed or has been damaged by disease or injury; however, unfortunately, the need for organ donors is much greater than the number of people who donate organs, and approximately 17 people die each day in America while awaiting an organ; and

WHEREAS, on March 21, 1984, the nonprofit organization United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) was founded in Richmond to meet the growing demand for organ transplants nationwide; today, UNOS maintains the nation’s organ transplant waiting list, which currently has more than 120,000 men, women, and children awaiting a life-saving transplant; and

WHEREAS, UNOS administers the computerized national database that matches donated organs with transplant candidates, and collects data and shares the most comprehensive transplant database in the country used by researchers, medical facilities, transplant surgeons, donors, and recipients; and

WHEREAS, UNOS ensures that all organs are equitably distributed, develops and implements organ-sharing policies that maximize the use of donated organs, and educates the public about the need for organ donation; and

WHEREAS, the UNOS Organ Center operates nonstop 365 days a year, helping place an average of 33 organs per day; and

WHEREAS, UNOS’s accomplishments are demonstrated by the following statistics: an average of 79 transplants occur each day with organs from both deceased and living donors; more than 28,000 people receive an organ transplant each year; more than 625,000 transplants have been performed nationwide since 1984; and more than 275,000 Americans are alive today with a functioning transplanted organ; and

WHEREAS, a model for transplant systems around the world, the UNOS mission is promoted by 320 dedicated employees who serve as researchers, data analysts, and information technology professionals, including many Virginians who have graduated from Virginia colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, headquartered in the Virginia Bio-Technology Research Park in Richmond, UNOS provides a valuable service by improving transplant technology, increasing the number of organ donors, saving lives through organ transplantation, and improving the quality of life for persons throughout the Commonwealth and the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the United Network for Organ Sharing on its 30th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Brian Shepard, chief executive officer of United Network for Organ Sharing, as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration and appreciation of the organization’s exemplary work, commitment, and dedication to saving and improving the quality of life of thousands of citizens and its best wishes for many productive years of service to the Commonwealth and the nation in the future.

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 150

Offered February 18, 2014
Commending United Network for Organ Sharing.
Patron-- McEachin

WHEREAS, United Network for Organ Sharing, a nonprofit organization in Richmond, proudly celebrates its 30th anniversary in March 2014; and

WHEREAS, one result of the numerous medical and scientific advances that have harnessed technology, created life-sustaining therapies, and transformed health care and many lives in the process is organ transplantation; and

WHEREAS, transplantation may be necessary when a person’s organ has failed or has been damaged by disease or injury; however, unfortunately, the need for organ donors is much greater than the number of people who donate organs, and approximately 17 people die each day in America while awaiting an organ; and

WHEREAS, on March 21, 1984, the nonprofit organization United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) was founded in Richmond to meet the growing demand for organ transplants nationwide; today, UNOS maintains the nation’s organ transplant waiting list, which currently has more than 120,000 men, women, and children awaiting a life-saving transplant; and

WHEREAS, UNOS administers the computerized national database that matches donated organs with transplant candidates, and collects data and shares the most comprehensive transplant database in the country used by researchers, medical facilities, transplant surgeons, donors, and recipients; and

WHEREAS, UNOS ensures that all organs are equitably distributed, develops and implements organ-sharing policies that maximize the use of donated organs, and educates the public about the need for organ donation; and

WHEREAS, the UNOS Organ Center operates nonstop 365 days a year, helping place an average of 33 organs per day; and

WHEREAS, UNOS’s accomplishments are demonstrated by the following statistics: an average of 79 transplants occur each day with organs from both deceased and living donors; more than 28,000 people receive an organ transplant each year; more than 625,000 transplants have been performed nationwide since 1984; and more than 275,000 Americans are alive today with a functioning transplanted organ; and

WHEREAS, a model for transplant systems around the world, the UNOS mission is promoted by 320 dedicated employees who serve as researchers, data analysts, and information technology professionals, many of them Virginians who have graduated from Virginia colleges and universities; and

WHEREAS, headquartered in the Virginia Bio-Technology Research Park in Richmond, UNOS provides a valuable service by improving transplant technology, increasing the number of organ donors, saving lives through organ transplantation, and improving the quality of life for persons throughout the Commonwealth and the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the Senate, the House of Delegates concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the United Network for Organ Sharing on its 30th anniversary; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to Brian Shepard, chief executive officer of United Network for Organ Sharing, as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration and appreciation of the organization’s exemplary work, commitment, and dedication to saving and improving the quality of life of thousands of citizens and its best wishes for many productive years of service to the Commonwealth and the nation in the future.