PRINTER'S NO. 477
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
55
Session of
2021
INTRODUCED BY BROOKS, FONTANA, HUGHES, SCAVELLO, BROWNE, MARTIN,
KANE, J. WARD, PHILLIPS-HILL, COSTA, HUTCHINSON, PITTMAN,
MENSCH AND BREWSTER, MARCH 22, 2021
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, MARCH 22, 2021
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the Blue Lights Campaign and its efforts to raise
awareness of colorectal cancer in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in
the United States and the second leading cause of cancer-related
death among men and women combined; and
WHEREAS, One in 20 people will be diagnosed with colorectal
cancer in their lifetime; and
WHEREAS, The disease takes the lives of more than 50,000
people every year; and
WHEREAS, It is recommended by the American Cancer Society and
national medical societies that individuals begin screening for
colorectal cancer at 45 years of age or even earlier if they
have a family history of the disease; and
WHEREAS, With proper screening, colorectal cancer is
preventable, but one in three Americans of appropriate age do
not get the simple test every year; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Marianne Ritchie, a gastroenterologist with
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Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, has organized the
Blue Lights Campaign for the past eight years to educate
residents of this Commonwealth about colorectal cancer and
encourage them to get screened; and
WHEREAS, Dr. Ritchie works with government officials and
private businesses throughout Philadelphia to get many of the
city's most well-known buildings and structures lit up in blue
for one week in March each year in honor of National Colorectal
Cancer Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, Participating places and buildings in Philadelphia
have included PECO, Two Liberty Place, the FMC Tower, the Cira
Centre, the Lit Brothers building, the Benjamin Franklin Bridge,
the Franklin Institute, Lincoln Financial Field and Boathouse
Row; and
WHEREAS, The State Capitol Building in Harrisburg and
courthouses and county buildings across this Commonwealth have
also been lit up in blue as part of the campaign; and
WHEREAS, The State Capitol Building in Harrisburg will be lit
up in blue for the month of March 2021; and
WHEREAS, It is Dr. Ritchie's hope that if individuals are
surrounded by the blue lights, they will feel the urgency of the
message to talk to their health care provider about and get
screened for colorectal cancer, whether it is through a
colonoscopy or another physician-recommended method; and
WHEREAS, In addition to getting screened, individuals are
encouraged to take preventive measures to reduce their risk of
developing the disease, such as eating healthier, increasing
physical activity and reducing alcohol and tobacco intake; and
WHEREAS, The Senate recognizes the crucial need to raise
awareness of colorectal cancer among residents of this
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Commonwealth in order to promote prevention and early detection;
therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize the Blue Lights Campaign
and its ongoing effort to raise awareness of colorectal cancer
in Pennsylvania; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the Senate urge residents to take the
necessary steps to get screened and promote prevention and early
detection of this disease.
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