Bill Text: PA HR470 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Introduced

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Bill Title: Recognizing September 27, 2009, as "Lupus Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Republican 62-34)

Status: (Passed) 2009-09-30 - Adopted [HR470 Detail]

Download: Pennsylvania-2009-HR470-Introduced.html

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PRINTER'S NO. 2679
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No. 470 Session of2009
INTRODUCED BY MARSICO, SOLOBAY, ADOLPH, BAKER, BENNINGHOFF, BEYER, BOBACK, BRIGGS, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, DALLY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, ELLIS, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, FRANKEL, GABLER, GEIST, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HARHART, HARKINS, HELM, HENNESSEY, HICKERNELL, M. KELLER, KILLION, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHER, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARSHALL, McCALL, MELIO, MENSCH, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILNE, MOUL, MUNDY, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, D. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PEIFER, PHILLIPS, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROHRER, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SEIP, SIPTROTH, STABACK, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TALLMAN, TRUE, TURZAI, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, WHITE, BEAR, ROCK, BOYD, COX AND MANDERINO, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing September 27, 2009, as "Lupus Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory disease in which
the body's immune system fails to serve its normal protective
functions and instead forms antibodies that attack healthy
tissues and organs; and
WHEREAS, For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting
only a few organs, but for others it may cause serious and even
life-threatening problems; and
WHEREAS, An estimated two million Americans have been
diagnosed with lupus, making it more common than leukemia,
multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis
combined; and
WHEREAS, Lupus can occur at any age and in either sex,
although it appears ten times more frequently in women than in
men, and the symptoms of the disease are the same in both men
and women; and
WHEREAS, Lupus affects one out of every 185 Americans, and
the disease is more prevalent in African Americans, Latinos,
Native Americans and Asians; and
WHEREAS, While the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists
believe there is a genetic predisposition to the disease, and it
is known that certain factors also play a critical role in
triggering lupus in a patient who is predisposed, such as
infections, antibiotics or other medications, pregnancy,
ultraviolet light and extreme stress; and
WHEREAS, Although lupus is known to occur within families,
there is no known gene which is thought to cause the illness;
and
WHEREAS, The prognosis of lupus is much better today than
ever before; however, medical science has not yet developed a
method for curing lupus, and some people do die from
complications of the disease; and
WHEREAS, Better diagnostic techniques, evaluation methods and
a more cautious use of medications have given physicians the
tools to more effectively manage lupus symptoms and
complications, and with early diagnosis and current methods of
therapy, 80% to 90% of people with lupus can look forward to a
normal lifespan; and
WHEREAS, The Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania serves as a
source of hope and is dedicated to promoting awareness,
eduction, service and research for the 66,000 Pennsylvanians
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affected by the disease; and
WHEREAS, On September 27, 2009, the Lupus Foundation of
Pennsylvania is hosting the "Lupus Loop 2009 5k Walk/Run" in
Harrisburg to raise funds to provide current information on
lupus to the general public, help educate health care
professionals on all aspects of lupus and create programs to
support lupus patients; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize
September 27, 2009, as "Lupus Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.
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