HR 163 — A Resolution recognizing June 14, 2025, as "World Blood Donor Day" in Pennsylvania.

PRINTER'S NO.   1219

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 163
                                                 Session of
                                                   2025

     INTRODUCED BY HANBIDGE, MADDEN, VENKAT, WAXMAN, McANDREW, GIRAL,
        FREEMAN, HADDOCK, MERSKI, ISAACSON, T. DAVIS, MAYES, HILL-
        EVANS, CEPEDA-FREYTIZ, KHAN, KENYATTA, HOWARD, SANCHEZ,
        CERRATO, RIVERA, SCHLOSSBERG, O'MARA AND CONKLIN,
        APRIL 1, 2025

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, APRIL 1, 2025


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Recognizing June 14, 2025, as "World Blood Donor Day" in
 2      Pennsylvania.
 3      WHEREAS, A blood donor is any individual who is in good
 4   health, at least 16 years of age, weighs a minimum of 110 pounds
 5   and elects to donate blood; and
 6      WHEREAS, Blood donation can be made once every 56 days and as
 7   many as six times a year by a blood donor; and
 8      WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has five major blood donation
 9   centers, including the American Red Cross Greater Pennsylvania
10   Region, Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank, Community Blood Bank of
11   Northwest PA and Western NY, Miller-Keystone Blood Center and
12   Vitalant Blood Center; and
13      WHEREAS, Every two seconds there is someone in the United
14   States in need of blood or platelets; and
15      WHEREAS, The only way to improve the supply of blood and
16   platelets is through volunteer blood and platelet donors; and
 1      WHEREAS, According to the American Cancer Society, more than
 2   2 million individuals are estimated to have been diagnosed with
 3   cancer in the United States in 2024, and many of these
 4   individuals will need blood transfusions over the course of
 5   cancer treatment; and
 6      WHEREAS, O type blood is the blood type most in demand among
 7   hospitals; and
 8      WHEREAS, Approximately 45% of individuals across the United
 9   States have O type blood; and
10      WHEREAS, Percentages of O type blood are higher for Latino
11   and African Americans at 57% and 51% respectively; and
12      WHEREAS, According to the American Red Cross, only 3% of
13   people of eligible age donate blood each year; and
14      WHEREAS, The World Health Organization recognizes June 14
15   each year as "World Blood Donor Day" to increase awareness about
16   the need for blood donation; and
17      WHEREAS, It is vitally important for all Pennsylvanians to be
18   aware of the need for more blood donors across this
19   Commonwealth; therefore be it
20      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize June
21   14, 2025, as "World Blood Donor Day" in Pennsylvania.




20250HR0163PN1219                    - 2 -