1Designating the month of September 2013 as "Sickle Cell Disease
2Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

3WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a group of inherited
4blood disorders that causes normally round red blood cells to
5take on a sickle shape, which impedes the cells' ability to
6travel throughout the body to deliver vital oxygen; and

7WHEREAS, The restricted oxygen supply due to SCD can cause
8severe pain, organ damage, serious infections and stroke; and

9WHEREAS, SCD can be detected by using a simple blood test;
10and

11WHEREAS, Treatment for SCD is contingent on the symptoms
12experienced by each individual and the severity of the symptoms
13varies from person to person; and

14WHEREAS, SCD can be cured through bone marrow or stem cell
15transplant, however, because of the risks, this procedure is

1only performed in limited cases; and

2WHEREAS, The most common types of SCD are HbSS,(sickle cell
3anemia), HbSC (hemoglobin C disease) and Hbs beta thalassemia;
4and

5WHEREAS, In the United States, approximately 90,000 to
6100,000 people are afflicted with SCD; and

7WHEREAS, African Americans are disproportionately affected by
8SCD with about 1 in 500 suffering from the disease; and

9WHEREAS, One in 36,000 Hispanic Americans are also affected
10by SCD; and

11WHEREAS, Millions of people throughout the world suffer from
12SCD, especially those of sub-Saharan African, Hispanic, Middle
13Eastern, Asian, Indian and Mediterranean origin; and

14WHEREAS, The month of September has been designated Sickle
15Cell Disease Awareness Month in the United States; therefore be
16it

17RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
18month of September 2013 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month"
19in Pennsylvania.