FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Thursday, March 29, 2007
CONTACT: Yoni Cohen, (202) 225-3202

WASHINGTON, DC – Representatives Pete Stark (D-CA) and Dave Camp (R-MI) today introduced the William H. Frist Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act. In recognition of Organ Donation Awareness Month in April, the bill would create a commemorative medal honoring organ donors and their families. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Chuck Grassley (R-IA) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

"More than 5,000 people die every year while waiting for an organ transplant,” said Stark, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. “Demand for organs continues to outstrip supply, with a wait list that is more than 100,000 people long. The Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act encourages more people to become donors and honors those who commit the selfless act of organ donation. I look forward to working with Representative Camp and Senators Durbin and Grassley to enact this sensible and much needed legislation."

"I am pleased to be working with Chairman Stark on such an important issue,” said Camp, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. “Organ donation, which literally helps save lives, is one of the most compassionate and noble acts and individual can make. With this medal, the federal government will recognize the unselfish act of donation."

The legislation would allow each donor or donor family to be eligible to receive a commemorative Congressional medal to honor their efforts in this selfless, lifesaving act. The program would be coordinated by the regional organ procurement organizations (OPO) and managed by the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network (OPTN). OPTN would be responsible for financing the design, production and distribution of the medals. The bill does not require any new federal funding. For years, Congressman Stark introduced the Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act with former Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, for whom this year’s bill is named.

"Organ donation is a compassionate, selfless act that should not go unrecognized,” said Assistant Senate Majority Leader Durbin. “The men and women who have chosen to give of themselves to save the life of another are true heroes. A congressional medal will not only honor these individuals and their families but also encourage others to become organ donors."

"Donating an organ is one of the most selfless things a person can do,” said Grassley, Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee. “With the number of people waiting for help growing everyday, it seems only appropriate that we honor those who make the sacrifice and provide life to others."

The legislation has been is endorsed by the Association of Organ Procurement Organizations (AOPO), the American Society of Transplantation (AST), the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS), the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), the Organization of Transplant Professionals (NATCO), and Transplant Recipients International Organization (TRIO).