2019 -- H 5899

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MARCH, 2019, AS "BLEEDING DISORDERS

AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, Morin, Jackson, and Casey

     Date Introduced: March 26, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, In March of 2016, The United States Department of Health and Human

Services approved the inclusion of Bleeding Disorders Month on its National Observances

Calendar. Subsequently, March of each year is now officially recognized nationally as "Bleeding

Disorders Awareness Month" in the United States; and

     WHEREAS, This designation formalized and expanded upon the designation 33 years

ago of March, 1986, as "Hemophilia Awareness Month" by President Ronald Reagan; and

     WHEREAS, These bleeding disorders, which share the inability to form a proper blood

clot, are characterized by extended bleeding and can lead to significant morbidity and can be fatal

if not treated effectively; and

     WHEREAS, Many individuals with hemophilia became infected with HIV and Hepatitis

C in the 1980s due to the contamination of the blood supply and blood products; and

     WHEREAS, This Awareness Month will generate greater awareness and understanding

of not only hemophilia but all inheritable bleeding disorders, including von Willebrand Disease,

which alone impacts an estimated 1.4 million Americans; with an estimated 1,100 individuals

suffering from hemophilia and other inheritable bleeding disorders in Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, This Awareness Month will foster a greater sense of community and shared

purpose among individuals with all inheritable bleeding disorders; and

     WHEREAS, This Awareness Month will elevate awareness of and engagement in the

inheritable bleeding disorders journey beyond our community to the general public, enabling the

prevention of illness, unnecessary procedures, and disability; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

Providence Plantations hereby proclaims March, 2019, as "Bleeding Disorders Awareness

Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Richard Pezzillo, Executive Director, New

England Hemophilia Association.

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