PRINTER'S NO. 3046
No. 378 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY METCALFE, GEORGE, SCRIMENTI, MAITLAND, M. BAKER,
THOMAS, WILT, ARMSTRONG, BEBKO-JONES, ROSS, WOJNAROSKI, MANN,
PIPPY, CALTAGIRONE, READSHAW, CAPPELLI, McILHATTAN, SOLOBAY,
TIGUE, NAILOR, DONATUCCI, MELIO, STABACK, HARHAI, LEH,
BENNINGHOFF, GRUCELA, FEESE, HENNESSEY, ZUG, FAIRCHILD,
HORSEY, WASHINGTON, DeWEESE, SATHER, CORRIGAN, SANTONI,
CLARK, CREIGHTON, J. EVANS, FORCIER, GEIST AND RUBLEY,
DECEMBER 11, 2001
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
DECEMBER 11, 2001
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the month of January 2002 as "Reflex Sympathetic
2 Dystrophy Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, commonly
4 referred to as RSDS, is a debilitating disease of the autonomic
5 nervous system which afflicts millions; and
6 WHEREAS, RSDS can be brought on by a simple injury such as a
7 sprain or by surgery, infections or cumulative traumas and
8 generally starts in a limb; and
9 WHEREAS, While medical professionals and the general public
10 know little about RSDS, the disease dates back to the Civil War;
11 and
12 WHEREAS, To date, there is no known cure, but research is
13 ongoing; and
14 WHEREAS, There are four known stages of RSDS, and it is
1 crucial that RSDS be diagnosed in the early stages; and
2 WHEREAS, Patients go through all or some of the stages, but
3 the one common element for all RSDS sufferers is pain: 24-hour,
4 nonstop, burning, piercing pain; and
5 WHEREAS, With early detection and diagnosis followed by
6 aggressive treatment by proper medical professionals, a positive
7 result is possible; and
8 WHEREAS, Treatment becomes increasingly difficult as the
9 disease progresses; and
10 WHEREAS, The RSDS Association was established to meet the
11 need for awareness of RSDS among health care professionals,
12 patients and their families and to encourage research into
13 causes and cures for RSDS; and
14 WHEREAS, A month should be designated to recognize the
15 victims of RSDS and to increase the awareness and concern of the
16 citizens of this Commonwealth regarding research into the
17 causes, cures, prevention and clinical treatment of RSDS;
18 therefore be it
19 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
20 month of January 2002 as "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome
21 Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
22 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
23 the RSDS Association and RSDS Hope.
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