PRINTER'S NO. 1393
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
226
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY FLYNN, FRANKEL, BIZZARRO, DONATUCCI, SCHLEGEL
CULVER, LONGIETTI, DiGIROLAMO, ECKER, KINSEY, THOMAS,
CALTAGIRONE, READSHAW, BERNSTINE, MURT, BROWN, KORTZ,
MEHAFFIE, YOUNGBLOOD, SCHLOSSBERG, HOWARD, FREEMAN,
PASHINSKI, B. MILLER, DeLUCA, KIRKLAND, MILLARD, HILL-EVANS,
McCLINTON AND MARKOSEK, APRIL 15, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 15, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2019 as "Crohn's Disease and
Ulcerative Colitis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are
inflammatory bowel diseases that cause chronic inflammation and
damage in the gastrointestinal tract and impair the ability of
the affected organs to function properly; and
WHEREAS, The most common symptoms of these two diseases are
persistent diarrhea, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, weight
loss and fatigue; and
WHEREAS, Individuals with inflammatory bowel disease often go
through periods of remission with few or no symptoms,
alternating with periods of flare-ups when the disease is active
and presenting symptoms; and
WHEREAS, The exact cause of these diseases is not entirely
understood, but they do involve a complex interaction between
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genes, the immune system and environmental factors; and
WHEREAS, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis affect as
many as 1.6 million Americans, including 80,000 children; and
WHEREAS, These diseases are most often diagnosed in
adolescence and early adulthood, between the ages of 15 and 35;
and
WHEREAS, Cases of inflammatory bowel diseases are on the rise
in the United States, with nearly 70,000 people diagnosed each
year; and
WHEREAS, These chronic conditions can significantly affect a
patient's quality of life; and
WHEREAS, The annual financial burden of inflammatory bowel
diseases in the United States is estimated to be between $14.6
billion and $31.6 billion; and
WHEREAS, There is no cure for Crohn's disease or ulcerative
colitis, only medications and treatments that aim to suppress
inflammation, achieve and maintain remission and improve overall
quality of life; and
WHEREAS, Even with treatment, up to one-third of people with
ulcerative colitis will require surgery after 30 years with the
disease, and approximately 70% of people with Crohn's disease
eventually require surgery; and
WHEREAS, The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation sponsors cutting-
edge research to find a cure and works diligently to improve the
quality of life of children and adults affected by these
diseases through a wide range of educational programs and
support services for both patients and health care
professionals; and
WHEREAS, "Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis Awareness
Month" increases public awareness of these diseases,
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acknowledges the medical and financial impact these diseases
have on affected individuals and their families and promotes
initiatives to improve treatments and find a cure for Crohn's
disease and ulcerative colitis; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of May 2019 as "Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives acknowledge those
suffering from these diseases and their desire for a cure.
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