HR1124: HR1124 Blood Plasma Donation Awareness Day in Georgia; February 17, 2026; recognize

This resolution does not change any Georgia law. It formally recognizes February 17, 2026, as Blood Plasma Donation Awareness Day in the state. The bill's preamble lays out background on the importance of blood plasma donation, including its use in treating conditions like sickle cell disease, hemophilia, and immune disorders, and notes the historical contributions of Dr. Charles Richard Drew, an African American pioneer of blood banking. The resolution also highlights that while people of African descent make up over 86 percent of blood plasma donations nationwide, no plasma collection centers in Georgia are currently owned by members of that community. It directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press, but it creates no new requirements, funding, or penalties.

• Formally designates February 17, 2026, as Blood Plasma Donation Awareness Day in Georgia.
• Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to prepare and distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.
• Creates no new law, funding, or regulatory requirement; it is a symbolic recognition only.

The resolution primarily affects public awareness rather than any specific group legally, but it speaks to blood plasma donors, patients relying on plasma-derived treatments (including those with sickle cell disease and hemophilia), and Georgia's plasma collection industry.

While the resolution carries no legal force, it draws public attention to blood plasma donation and to the lack of Georgia plasma collection centers owned by people of African descent, a group that provides a large share of donations nationwide.

• The resolution's whereas clauses describe the medical importance of plasma-derived products and the scale of the plasma donation industry nationally and in Georgia.
• The whereas clauses note that sickle cell disease affects over 11,000 people in Georgia and disproportionately impacts people of African descent.
• The resolved clause designates February 17, 2026, as Blood Plasma Donation Awareness Day in Georgia.
• The final clause directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to distribute copies of the resolution to the public and press.

1. 2026-01-28House Read and Adopted (House)
2. 2026-01-28House First Readers (House)
3. 2026-01-28House Hopper (House)

• Noelle Kahaian (R, HD-081)Primary sponsor
• Patty Stinson (D, HD-150)
• Reynaldo Martinez (R, HD-111)
• Matt Reeves (R, HD-099)
• Floyd Griffin (D, HD-149)
• Michelle Au (D, HD-050)

• blood plasma donation
• sickle cell disease
• public health awareness
• health equity