PRINTER'S NO. 1701
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
305
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY BURGOS, MURT, ULLMAN, PASHINSKI, HENNESSEY,
LONGIETTI, BIZZARRO, RYAN, HARKINS, HILL-EVANS, DONATUCCI,
KORTZ, SONNEY, READSHAW, SCHLOSSBERG, FREEMAN, WILLIAMS,
McCARTER, BURNS, BROWN, CALTAGIRONE, B. MILLER, GAYDOS,
YOUNGBLOOD, MILLARD, SCHMITT, NEILSON, PYLE, McNEILL,
DiGIROLAMO, DeLUCA, O'MARA, KINSEY, MADDEN, EVERETT AND
SCHLEGEL CULVER, MAY 6, 2019
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MAY 6, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of May 2019 as "Cancer Caregivers
Recognition Month" in Pennsylvania and honoring the vital
role caregivers play in the lives of cancer patients.
WHEREAS, The American Cancer Society estimates that there
will be 79,890 new cases of cancer diagnosed in this
Commonwealth in 2019; and
WHEREAS, Known as family caregivers or lay caregivers, unpaid
caregivers are usually spouses, partners or adult children, with
close friends, coworkers and neighbors often filling this role
when family members are not nearby or are unavailable; and
WHEREAS, Caregivers are an important part of the health care
team and provide a complex array of support tasks that extend
across physical, psychological, spiritual and emotional domains;
and
WHEREAS, A family caregiver's work can be a full-time job,
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often forcing the caregiver to quit their paying occupation to
meet the demands of providing care to those with cancer; and
WHEREAS, Caring for an individual with cancer can be very
stressful and exhausting, requiring emotional, spiritual and
physical strength; and
WHEREAS, The risks associated with the emotional toll taken
on a cancer caregiver can include a decrease in quality of life,
depression, impaired immunity, heart disease and early death;
and
WHEREAS, Caregiver stress may continue after the patient's
treatment ends as roles change again, and some caregivers
experience problems adjusting after treatment is completed; and
WHEREAS, The support of family, friends, employers, coworkers
and the community is key to assist caregivers in taking care of
themselves both during caregiving and after caregiving ends; and
WHEREAS, Many caregivers find satisfaction in providing care
for a loved one with cancer as a means of expressing their love
and respect for that individual; and
WHEREAS, Many cancer patients are deeply grateful to their
caregivers for the love and dedication, weathering the
challenges and setbacks of cancer treatment and sharing the
triumphs with them; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of May 2019 as "Cancer Caregivers Recognition Month" in
Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives honor all cancer
caregivers for their strength, love and unwavering support for
their loved ones with cancer and urge all residents to show
their support and appreciation for cancer caregivers across this
Commonwealth.
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