Dear Representative: On behalf of the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), I urge you to show your support of organ donation by signing on as a cosponsor of the William H. Frist Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act. This important bill, introduced by Representatives Pete Stark (D-CA) and Dave Camp (R-MI), would establish a Congressional commemorative medal to recognize the selfless act of organ donation. Over 93,000 people are waiting for an organ transplant – more than 70,000 of those on the waiting list for a kidney. It is only through the amazing generosity of donors and their families that those on the transplant waiting list have the opportunity of receiving the gift of life. The William H. Frist Gift of Life Congressional Medal would honor the life-saving heroism of living donors and families of deceased donors. The legislation, named in honor of former Senate Majority Leader, and transplant surgeon, Dr. William H. Frist, would establish a nonprofit fund administered by the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS) to be used to design, produce, and distribute a Congressional medal to organ donors or a family member of a donor. The legislation would incur absolutely no cost to the Federal Government. The American Association of Kidney Patients (www.aakp.org) was founded in 1969, and is the nation’s only education and advocacy organization for people with kidney disease both patient-led and managed. Each year, AAKP serves over one million Americans who have either lost kidney function (and live with dialysis or transplant) or have chronic kidney disease. The American Association of Kidney Patients and its members hope you will show your support of the many donors and their families who give others a second chance at life by signing on as a cosponsor of H.R. 1764, the William H. Frist Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act. Thank you for considering supporting this legislation. To sign on as a cosponsor or if you have specific questions, please contact John Rigg (Stark) at 202 -225-2743 or john.rigg@mail.house.gov; or Brian Sutter (Camp) at 202-225-3561 or brian.sutter@mail.house.gov. Sincerely, Kris Robinson Executive Director and CEO American Association of Kidney Patients
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