HR0607 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0607 LRB104 18846 ECR 32291 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, More than 55 years ago, January was designated as National Blood Donor Month as an annual observance to honor voluntary blood donors and to encourage more people to donate blood at a time when blood supplies are historically low; and

WHEREAS, Blood donations are the backbone of Illinois' health care; every two seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion, but blood cannot be manufactured and is only made possible by generous donors who roll up their sleeves to help save lives; and

WHEREAS, The Illinois population is aging, and too few new donors are volunteering to take the place of those unable to donate any longer; only about 3% of the age-eligible population donates blood, but patient needs are constant; and

WHEREAS, Type O blood is often used in trauma situations, making it the most needed blood type and most likely to be in short supply during a blood emergency; and

WHEREAS, Patients requiring blood transfusions include cancer patients, accident, burn, and trauma victims, newborn babies and their mothers, transplant recipients, surgery patients, chronically transfused patients suffering from sickle cell disease or thalassemia, and many more; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare January 2026 as Blood Donor Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge all citizens to celebrate the cause of blood donation and to recognize the lifesaving contributions of volunteer blood donors; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge all eligible blood donors to donate regularly and for businesses and organizations throughout the State of Illinois to sponsor community blood drives with ImpactLife, Rock River Valley Blood Center, Versiti, and Vitalant, among other blood centers, providing residents of our State the opportunity to save lives.