PRINTER'S NO. 1824
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
356
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY READSHAW, BAKER, CALTAGIRONE, WATSON, DiGIROLAMO,
HENNESSEY, THOMAS, DUSH, SONNEY, RYAN, KINSEY, RABB, FREEMAN,
TOOHIL, PASHINSKI, DRISCOLL, R. BROWN, MACKENZIE, GILLESPIE,
MILLARD, NEILSON, LONGIETTI, BURNS, BIZZARRO, SCHLOSSBERG,
STURLA, McNEILL, MARSICO, RAVENSTAHL, V. BROWN AND MURT,
MAY 24, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 24, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of May 2017 as "Lupus Awareness Month" and
May 10, 2017, as "World Lupus Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Every day an estimated 65,000 Pennsylvanians, 1.5
million Americans and 5 million individuals worldwide struggle
with the debilitating consequences of lupus, a potentially fatal
autoimmune disease that can damage any part of a lupus patient's
body; and
WHEREAS, In an autoimmune disease such as lupus, the immune
system effectively loses its way, and, instead of warding off
foreign invaders, including viruses and bacteria, the immune
system attacks healthy cells, causing inflammation and pain; and
WHEREAS, Lupus has no cure, no known cause and can lead to
permanent damage; and
WHEREAS, Despite the current treatment and available
medications, many lupus patients have symptoms that cannot be
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managed well enough for patients to lead normal lives, complete
their education and maintain employment; and
WHEREAS, Nine out of 10 individuals with lupus are women, and
80% of new cases are diagnosed among women between 15 and 44
years of age, with the majority of new cases seen in women in
their late teens and early 20s; and
WHEREAS, Individuals of any age or gender can develop lupus;
and
WHEREAS, Lupus was identified as a disease in 1872, but it is
an underrecognized public health problem that attracts rare
attention and funding for research for a cure; and
WHEREAS, Lupus is often referred to as "the disease that
fools," due to the patient's unawareness of its presence for
extended periods of time; and
WHEREAS, The Lupus Foundation of America, Philadelphia Tri-
State Chapter and the Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania, two
nonprofit volunteer health organizations with a history of
service since the early 1970s, provide supportive services to
the victims of lupus, fund medical research into the disease's
causes and possible treatments and educate the public concerning
the realities of lupus; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of May 2017 as "Lupus Awareness Month" and May 10, 2017,
as "World Lupus Day" in Pennsylvania so that more attention and
awareness may be given to this disease.
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