PRINTER'S NO. 1701
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
342
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, WILEY, TEPLITZ, BREWSTER, McGARRIGLE,
SABATINA, BROWNE, DINNIMAN, SCAVELLO, FONTANA, COSTA, BAKER,
RAFFERTY, SCHWANK, WHITE, HUTCHINSON, MENSCH, AUMENT AND
BARTOLOTTA, APRIL 13, 2016
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 13, 2016
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2016 as "Crohn's Disease and
Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are chronic
diseases that cause inflammation of the digestive and
gastrointestinal tract; and
WHEREAS, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are the two
main disease categories that belong to a larger group of
illnesses called inflammatory bowel disease, also known as IBD;
and
WHEREAS, In 1932, Dr. Burrill Crohn and two colleagues
published a landmark paper describing the features of what is
known today as Crohn's disease; and
WHEREAS, The exact causes of Crohn's disease and ulcerative
colitis are unknown, but experts believe there may be several
factors that work together to lead to the development of the
diseases, including such factors as genetic, impaired immune
system response and environmental triggers; and
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WHEREAS, More than 1.6 million Americans suffer from Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis; and
WHEREAS, Ten percent of persons affected by Crohn's disease
and ulcerative colitis are children under 18 years of age; and
WHEREAS, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affect people
of all ages, but they are primarily diseases of adolescents and
young adults, affecting mainly persons between 15 and 35 years
of age; and
WHEREAS, The diseases affect males and females equally; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis
include abdominal pain, fever, diarrhea, loss of appetite and
rectal bleeding; and
WHEREAS, There is no known cure for Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis, only medication to suppress inflammation;
and
WHEREAS, Approximately 23% to 45% of people with ulcerative
colitis and up to 75% of people with Crohn's disease will
eventually require surgery; and
WHEREAS, The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, also
known as the CCFA, works diligently to research the diseases,
provide information and aid to patients and increase national
awareness of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis; and
WHEREAS, The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and
Kidney Diseases also conducts and supports research into many
kinds of digestive disorders, including Crohn's disease; and
WHEREAS, "Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Awareness
Month" increases public awareness of Crohn's disease and
ulcerative colitis patients' circumstances, acknowledges the
impact of the diseases on patients and families and recognizes
research for treatment and a cure for Crohn's disease and
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ulcerative colitis; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of May 2016 as
"Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania and urge all Pennsylvanians to learn about these
diseases.
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