WHEREAS, the gift of life through organ, eye, and tissue donation is one of the most meaningful acts a person can bestow upon another; and

WHEREAS, living donors, through their courage and generosity, provide a second chance at life to thousands of individuals each year, most commonly through kidney or liver donation; and

WHEREAS, more than 100,000 men, women, and children are currently on the national transplant waiting list, and an average of 17 people die each day because the organ they need does not become available in time; and

WHEREAS, living donation offers a highly successful alternative to waiting for a deceased donor organ, with many recipients experiencing improved long‑term outcomes and enhanced quality of life; and

WHEREAS, it is essential to raise awareness about the profound impact of living donation and to express gratitude to the individuals who have selflessly chosen to become living donors; and

WHEREAS, the goal of this observance is to encourage public education, celebrate the lives saved through living donation, and increase the number of living donor transplants;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, do hereby recognize April 2026, as LIVING DONOR AWARENESS MONTH in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.