PRINTER'S NO.  2679

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

No.

470

Session of

2009

  

  

INTRODUCED BY MARSICO, SOLOBAY, ADOLPH, BAKER, BENNINGHOFF, BEYER, BOBACK, BRIGGS, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, DALLY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, ELLIS, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, FRANKEL, GABLER, GEIST, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HARHART, HARKINS, HELM, HENNESSEY, HICKERNELL, M. KELLER, KILLION, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHER, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARSHALL, McCALL, MELIO, MENSCH, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILNE, MOUL, MUNDY, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, D. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PEIFER, PHILLIPS, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROHRER, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SEIP, SIPTROTH, STABACK, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TALLMAN, TRUE, TURZAI, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, WHITE, BEAR, ROCK, BOYD, COX AND MANDERINO, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

  

  

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009  

  

  

  

A RESOLUTION

  

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Recognizing September 27, 2009, as "Lupus Awareness Day" in

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Pennsylvania.

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WHEREAS, Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory disease in which

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the body's immune system fails to serve its normal protective

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functions and instead forms antibodies that attack healthy

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tissues and organs; and

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WHEREAS, For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting

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only a few organs, but for others it may cause serious and even

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life-threatening problems; and

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WHEREAS, An estimated two million Americans have been

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diagnosed with lupus, making it more common than leukemia,

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multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis

 


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combined; and

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WHEREAS, Lupus can occur at any age and in either sex,

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although it appears ten times more frequently in women than in

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men, and the symptoms of the disease are the same in both men

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and women; and

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WHEREAS, Lupus affects one out of every 185 Americans, and

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the disease is more prevalent in African Americans, Latinos,

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Native Americans and Asians; and

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WHEREAS, While the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists

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believe there is a genetic predisposition to the disease, and it

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is known that certain factors also play a critical role in

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triggering lupus in a patient who is predisposed, such as

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infections, antibiotics or other medications, pregnancy,

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ultraviolet light and extreme stress; and

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WHEREAS, Although lupus is known to occur within families,

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there is no known gene which is thought to cause the illness;

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and

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WHEREAS, The prognosis of lupus is much better today than

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ever before; however, medical science has not yet developed a

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method for curing lupus, and some people do die from

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complications of the disease; and

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WHEREAS, Better diagnostic techniques, evaluation methods and

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a more cautious use of medications have given physicians the

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tools to more effectively manage lupus symptoms and

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complications, and with early diagnosis and current methods of

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therapy, 80% to 90% of people with lupus can look forward to a

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normal lifespan; and

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WHEREAS, The Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania serves as a

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source of hope and is dedicated to promoting awareness,

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eduction, service and research for the 66,000 Pennsylvanians

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affected by the disease; and

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WHEREAS, On September 27, 2009, the Lupus Foundation of

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Pennsylvania is hosting the "Lupus Loop 2009 5k Walk/Run" in

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Harrisburg to raise funds to provide current information on

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lupus to the general public, help educate health care

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professionals on all aspects of lupus and create programs to

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support lupus patients; therefore be it

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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize

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September 27, 2009, as "Lupus Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

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