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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, September 15 through October 15 marks National
3Hispanic Heritage Month; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Our State's hospitals and surgery centers rely on
5a continual safe supply of 100% donated blood; and
 
6    WHEREAS, Although Latinos make up 17% of the general
7population nationwide, they make up less than 4% of blood
8donors; and
 
9    WHEREAS, The Latino population has a high percentage of
10type O blood, which is in high demand since it can be
11transfused to patients with other blood types; Latino blood
12also contains important antibodies, unique to the Latino
13population, making their donations especially vital to other
14Latinos in need of an exact antigen match for a transfusion;
15and
 
16    WHEREAS, A single unit of blood can save up to 3 lives,
17while a single trauma patient can use over 100 units of blood;
18and
 
19    WHEREAS, Blood only has a shelf life of 42 days; and
 

 

 

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1    WHEREAS, Blood centers rely heavily not only on blood
2donated on their premises, but on blood drives organized
3throughout their communities by volunteers; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Blood can be donated every 56 days and can improve
5the health of the donor by reducing excess iron and encouraging
6the body to produce more blood; and
 
7    WHEREAS, The State of Illinois recognizes the importance of
8blood donation through the Blood Donation Act, the Employee
9Blood Donation Leave Act, and the Organ Donor Leave Act;
10therefore, be it
 
11    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
12NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
13encourage the Latino community in the State to share its unique
14gift of life by donating blood; and be it further
 
15    RESOLVED, That we further encourage Latino businesses,
16churches, and other organizations to consider hosting a blood
17drive in their community and urge community colleges, colleges,
18universities, and trade schools to host blood drives and
19participate in the National Cesar E. Chavez Blood Drive
20Scholarship Challenge; and be it further
 
21    RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be

 

 

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1presented to the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers.