PRINTER'S NO. 2162
No. 223 Session of 1998
INTRODUCED BY GREENLEAF, AFFLERBACH, BRIGHTBILL, COSTA, EARLL,
GERLACH, MUSTO, O'PAKE, STOUT, WOZNIAK, SLOCUM AND KASUNIC,
SEPTEMBER 25, 1998
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, SEPTEMBER 25, 1998
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating the month of October 1998 as "Reflex Sympathetic
2 Dystrophy Syndrome Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Reflex sympathetic dystrophy syndrome, commonly
4 referred to as RSD, is a debilitating disease of the autonomic
5 nervous system which afflicts millions; and
6 WHEREAS, RSD can be brought on by a simple injury such as a
7 sprain or by surgery, infections or cumulative traumas and
8 generally starts in a limb; and
9 WHEREAS, While medical professionals and the general public
10 know little about RSD, the disease dates back to the Civil War;
11 and
12 WHEREAS, To date, there is no known cure, but research is
13 ongoing; and
14 WHEREAS, There are three known stages of RSD, and it is
15 crucial that RSD be diagnosed in the early stages; and
16 WHEREAS, Patients go through all or some of the stages, but
17 the one common element for all RSD sufferers is pain: 24-hour,
1 nonstop, burning, piercing pain; and
2 WHEREAS, With early detection and diagnosis followed by
3 aggressive treatment by proper medical professionals, a positive
4 result is possible; and
5 WHEREAS, Treatment becomes increasingly difficult as the
6 disease progresses; and
7 WHEREAS, The RSDS Association was established to meet the
8 need for awareness of RSD among health care professionals,
9 patients and their families and to encourage research into
10 causes and cures for RSD; and
11 WHEREAS, A month should be designated to recognize the
12 victims of RSD and to increase the awareness and concern of the
13 citizens of this Commonwealth regarding research into the
14 causes, cures, prevention and clinical treatment of RSD;
15 therefore be it
16 RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of October 1998
17 as "Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Awareness Month" in
18 Pennsylvania; and be it further
19 RESOLVED, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to
20 the RSDS Association and RSD Hope.
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