THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY JOHNSON, WHEATLEY, ROSS, ROCK, KORTZ, D. COSTA, MELIO, McCALL, GINGRICH, SOLOBAY, SCAVELLO, REICHLEY, KILLION, CONKLIN, BRADFORD, MILLARD, ROHRER, CLYMER, TRUE, O'NEILL, MURT, K. SMITH, MURPHY, GEIST, BAKER, BEYER, BISHOP, BUXTON, CALTAGIRONE, DALEY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, EVERETT, FLECK, GEORGE, GIBBONS, GOODMAN, GRELL, HELM, GRUCELA, MARKOSEK, MUSTIO, PALLONE, READSHAW, SANTONI, SWANGER, VEREB, VULAKOVICH AND WATSON, JUNE 14, 2010

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, JUNE 14, 2010  

A RESOLUTION

Designating June 19, 2010, as "Sickle Cell Disease Day" in

Pennsylvania.

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 in 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

one in 500 African-American births, and one 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, The United Nations has declared June 19th as "World

Sickle Cell Day"; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate June

19, 2010, as "Sickle Cell Disease Day" in Pennsylvania.