Bill Text: NJ SJR67 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Chaptered
Bill Title: Permanently designates May as "Lupus Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Moderate Partisan Bill (Democrat 5-1)
Status: (Passed) 2011-08-18 - Approved P.L.2011, JR-7. [SJR67 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-SJR67-Chaptered.html
§§1,2 -
C.36:2-180 &
36:2-181
A Joint Resolution permanently designating May as "Lupus Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Lupus is an acute, chronic, and lifelong autoimmune disease in which the immune system becomes unbalanced, causing inflammation, tissue damage, seizures, strokes, heart attacks, miscarriages, and organ failure; and
Whereas, Lupus can be particularly difficult to diagnose because the symptoms are similar to many other illnesses, and major gaps exist in understanding the causes of the disease; more than one half of persons suffering from lupus wait four or more years and visit three or more doctors before obtaining a proper diagnosis; and
Whereas, Nine out of 10 persons diagnosed with lupus are women of childbearing age, ages 15 to 44, and in the United States, the disease is more common in persons of color; African-Americans, persons of Latino and Hispanic descent, Asian and Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders are two to three times more likely than Caucasians to develop lupus, a disparity that remains unexplained; the disease also presents at an earlier age and is more severe among members of these ethnic groups; and
Whereas, Although there are no reliable epidemiological studies that can determine the number of people living with lupus within a specific geographical area, based on national sampling polls, the Lupus Foundation of America estimates as many as 43,000 New Jersey residents suffer from the disease; and
Whereas, While no one has been able to isolate what causes lupus or has discovered a cure for the disease, proper treatment can minimize symptoms, reduce inflammation and pain, and stop the development of serious organ damage; however, the current treatments used to manage lupus often have damaging side effects, and there have been no new medications specifically approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of the disease in the last 52 years; and
Whereas, Scientists believe that a person may have a genetic predisposition for developing lupus, and a combination of heredity, hormonal, or environmental factors may trigger the onset of the disease; health professionals continue to search for better ways to care for and treat persons with lupus in hope, one day, of understanding what causes the disease and why certain people are more likely to develop it, and discovering promising new treatments for the disease and its prevention; and
Whereas, The Lupus Foundation of America is a national, nonprofit health organization, with chapters all over the country, including New Jersey, that is dedicated to finding the causes of, and a cure for, lupus; the foundation provides hope, support, education, and community services to persons with lupus, their caregivers, and their families, and advocates for increased funding for research in existing and new medical treatments that will help to improve the quality of life for persons suffering with the disease; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The month of May is permanently designated as "Lupus Awareness Month" in New Jersey in order to promote public awareness about lupus, its symptoms, and the need for effective treatments for the disease, and to join the Lupus Foundation of America-New Jersey Chapter in advocating for increased funding for research, education, and community services for persons with the disease, their caregivers, and their families.
2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation and call upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe "Lupus Awareness Month" with appropriate events and activities.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This resolution permanently designates May as "Lupus Awareness Month" in New Jersey in order to promote public awareness about lupus, its symptoms, and the need for effective treatments for the disease, and to join the Lupus Foundation of America-New Jersey Chapter in advocating for increased funding for research, education, and community services for persons with the disease, their caregivers, and their families.
Permanently designates May as "Lupus Awareness Month" in New Jersey.
