CLEWISTON — At their April 8 meeting, Hendry County Commissioners honored organ transplant donors by declaring April as Donate Life Month.

The proclamation states: “One of the most meaningful gifts that a human being can bestow upon another is the gift of life; and WHEREAS, over 104,000 men, women and children are currently on the national waiting list for organ transplantation, of which over 5,500 reside in Florida.

“48,149, a historic number of organ transplants, occurred in the calendar year 2024 in the United States thanks to the generosity of 24,018 deceased and living donors, of which LifeLink of Florida honored more donors than ever before serving 361 organ donors who provided 936 lifesaving transplants to patients in need; and WHEREAS, more than 2.5 million people throughout the country and in Florida benefit annually from tissue transplantation thanks to thousands of tissue donors.

“The need for organ, eye, and tissue donation remains critical as a new patient is added to the national waiting list for an organ transplant every 8 minutes and each day roughly 16 people die due to the lack of available organs; and WHEREAS, more than 11.1 million Floridians have already registered their decision to give the Gift of Life through organ and tissue donation at www.DonateLifeFlorida.org or on their driver license.

“Lifelink® of Florida, the non-profit organization dedicated to the recovery of organs and tissue for transplantation therapy in Florida, with a mission to honor donors and save lives through organ and tissue donation.”

The meeting was held in the Clewiston City Commission Chambers.