PRINTER'S NO. 2298
No. 247 Session of 1998
INTRODUCED BY HUGHES, FUMO, LAVALLE, BRIGHTBILL, KITCHEN,
WAGNER, THOMPSON, BODACK, KUKOVICH, MELLOW, STOUT, O'PAKE,
WILLIAMS, MURPHY, GERLACH, TOMLINSON AND BELAN,
NOVEMBER 18, 1998
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, NOVEMBER 18, 1998
A RESOLUTION
1 Designating December 1998 as "Sarcoidosis Awareness Month" in
2 Pennsylvania.
3 WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis is a disease for which the origin and
4 cure are unknown; and
5 WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis affects between 20 and 50 individuals
6 out of every 100,000 individuals in the United States; and
7 WHEREAS, Most victims of sarcoidosis range in age between 20
8 and 40 years, with African Americans being affected at least 10
9 times more often than any other ethnic group in the United
10 States; and
11 WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder characterized
12 by a type of inflammation called granuloma which interferes with
13 normal organ functioning, causing severe and permanent organ
14 damage, most frequently in the lungs, eyes and skin; and
15 WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis can develop into a chronic, debilitating
16 disease, producing symptoms that can last a lifetime; and
17 WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis sufferers are often left psychologically
1 and physically disabled, unable to work and without medical
2 benefits due to the fact that sarcoidosis is often on lists of
3 diseases for denial of health insurance; and
4 WHEREAS, In recent years the medical community has begun to
5 focus attention on the causes, detection and cure of
6 sarcoidosis, recognizing its prevalence and severity throughout
7 the United States and around the world; and
8 WHEREAS, Because much about sarcoidosis still remains
9 unknown, it is vital that research initiatives be increased and
10 enhanced so that eradication of this debilitating disease
11 ensues; and
12 WHEREAS, Increased knowledge, education and awareness of
13 sarcoidosis among patients, support networks, medical
14 professionals, government entities and the general public can
15 help to create a better understanding of methods to manage this
16 disease; therefore be it
17 RESOLVED, That the Senate designate December 1998 as
18 "Sarcoidosis Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania and encourage the
19 dissemination of information to professionals who assist with
20 the treatment of sarcoidosis, the allocation of an adequate
21 amount of funds to investigate its causes, treatment and cure
22 and the implementation of comprehensive support services for
23 those individuals who suffer from this disease to fully realize
24 understanding and compassion for its victims.
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