THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY READSHAW, ROEBUCK, KIRKLAND, V. BROWN, BISHOP, WATERS, MYERS, THOMAS, PRESTON, PARKER, YOUNGBLOOD, JAMES, D. COSTA, P. COSTA, DEASY, DeLUCA, DERMODY, FRANKEL, GERGELY, KORTZ, KOTIK, MARKOSEK, MATZIE, RAVENSTAHL, SCHMOTZER, M. SMITH, WHEATLEY, WHITE, TURZAI, MUSTIO, SACCONE, MAHER, OBERLANDER, BAKER, BARBIN, BEAR, CALTAGIRONE, CLYMER, COHEN, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, ELLIS, EVERETT, FLECK, GEORGE, GODSHALL, GOODMAN, GROVE, HARHART, HENNESSEY, HESS, M. K. KELLER, KULA, MAHONEY, MALONEY, MARSHALL, MILLARD, MIRABITO, O'NEILL, NEUMAN, PASHINSKI, PYLE, SAYLOR, SCAVELLO, K. SMITH, SONNEY, STERN, SWANGER AND VEREB, SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 26, 2012  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing the contributions that Pittsburgh Steelers player

Ryan Clark has made to the fight against sickle cell anemia.

WHEREAS, Ryan Clark, a safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers,

has suffered from many side effects of sickle cell anemia during

his career, including being unable to play in high altitudes and

losing his spleen and gallbladder; and

WHEREAS, Clark teamed up with the University of Pittsburgh's

Vascular Medicine Institute on a campaign to raise awareness and

funds for the fight against the potentially fatal disease; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell anemia affects millions of people

throughout the world. While it is more common in people whose

ancestors come from sub-Saharan Africa, cases have been reported

in Mediterranean countries as well as the Middle East; and

WHEREAS, Round, red blood cells are needed to transport

oxygen to all parts of the body while removing carbon dioxide

from other tissues to the lungs where it can be exhaled; and

WHEREAS, In 1910, Dr. James B. Herrick released a report on

his discovery of thin, sickle-shaped and crescent-shaped red

blood cells after viewing a blood smear of a young man from the

West Indies whose symptoms included shortness of breath,

palpitations and anemia. This report, entitled "Peculiar

Elongated and Sickle-shaped Red Blood Corpuscles in a Case of

Severe Anemia," was the first account in medical literature

describing the disease; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder

that, if left untreated, can cause serious health problems. Red

blood cells take on a sickle shape which can significantly

impede their ability to flow through blood vessels. The reduced

blood flow may injure lung tissue in the short term. Over a

longer period of time, the harm is more extensive, compromising

vital organs, such as the liver, spleen and kidneys; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell anemia generally occurs in approximately

1 in 500 African-American births, and 1 in 900 Hispanic-American

births, afflicting approximately 72,000 persons in the United

States, according to the American Sickle Cell Anemia

Association; and

WHEREAS, There are approximately two million Americans who

carry the sickle cell trait and are generally healthy,

exhibiting few symptoms. However, this trait occurs in 1 in 12

African Americans and 1 in 16 Hispanic Americans; and

WHEREAS, There is currently no universal cure for sickle cell

anemia, but research is working to identify and develop

effective treatments; and

WHEREAS, A public that is informed and educated about sickle

cell anemia can improve the chances for early diagnosis and

treatment of this disease; and

WHEREAS, Clark is hopeful that, with enough support and

awareness of the disease, there will be a cure found and many

lives saved; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the

contributions that Pittsburgh Steelers player Ryan Clark has

made to the fight against sickle cell anemia.