Senate Resolution No. 169

BY: Senator RIVERA

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
January 2019, as Blood Donor Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2019, as Blood Donor
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Blood Donor Month; and

WHEREAS, In 1941, under the leadership of Dr. Charles R. Drew, the
American Red Cross began the National Blood Donor Service to collect
blood for the U.S. military; and

WHEREAS, Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood; and

WHEREAS, The American Red Cross provides approximately 40 percent of
the nation's blood supply; and

WHEREAS, Blood Services offered by the American Red Cross serve more
than 2,600 hospitals throughout the United States; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 36,000 units of red blood cells are needed
every day in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, Each year, approximately 6.8 million people generously give
blood or blood components to the American Red Cross; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of nurses are involved in paid and volunteer
capacities participating on blood collection teams; and

WHEREAS, The number one reason donors say they give blood is because
they want to help others; and

WHEREAS, These selfless volunteers have helped to save the lives of
millions of Americans by donating blood, plasma or platelets; and

WHEREAS, Blood Donor Awareness Month is a time to recognize all
those outstanding individuals who have contributed so much to the
advancement of blood donation, most particularly, to acknowledge and
express our deepest gratitude to those who donate their blood for their
extraordinary generosity in giving the gift of life; now, therefore, be
it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 2019, as Blood
Donor Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York and the American Red Cross.