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Encouraging Organ DonationHello everyone. It's wonderful to be here watching this great game with you today, between two great schools - two great Catholic schools, no less. I'm sure that you can all see why the proper definition of "Jesuits" is: "An order of priests known for their spiritual ability to found colleges with fantastic basketball teams." I'm happy to be here, and I'd just like to take a few moments to talk to you about the importance of organ donation. Today, more than 80,000 people across America are waiting for an organ transplant. And sad to say, there aren't enough donors to go around. Seventeen people die every day while waiting for an organ. It doesn't have to be this way. One organ and tissue donor can help save or enhance the lives of as many as 50 people. Individual actions add up - and these wonderful young transplant recipients are here today as proof. Their lives were saved because other Americans took the time to think about organ donation, to sign a card. When the donors didn't need their organs any more, they gave them to people who did. Because of those selfless acts, these young people can be here today, watching a basketball game with us. Ladies and Gentlemen, that's truly a wonderful thing. Please, sign an organ donor card today - just like this one here, except smaller. You can also sign up to be an organ donor when you get your drivers license. And be sure to tell your loved ones about your wishes. I'd like to thank the Get Game Give Life program, the Washington Regional Transplant Consortium and the Georgetown Transplant Center for their wonderful work. I'd also like to thank all of the members of my Workplace Partnership for Life program - you can learn more about it at organdonor.gov. We need your help. Together, we can make sure more people get the organs they need. Together, we can make a difference. Together, we can save lives! I'd like to invite Joe Lang, Georgetown's Director of Athletics, to come sign this donor card with me. I'll leave you with this taped testimony from snowboarder Chris Klug, who won an Olympic medal with the help of a donated organ. Thank you, and God bless you all. Last Revised: March 13, 2003 |
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