| R 119 |
| 2024 -- H 8021 Enacted 03/05/2024 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING MARCH OF 2024, AS "BLEEDING DISORDERS AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Batista, Perez, Shallcross Smith, Diaz, Cortvriend, Carson, and Spears |
| Date Introduced: March 05, 2024 |
| 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 nationally recognized as "Bleeding Disorders |
| Awareness Month" in the United States; and |
| WHEREAS, The designation formalized and expanded upon the original recognition of |
| March, 1986, as "Hemophilia Awareness Month" by President Ronald Reagan; and |
| WHEREAS, These bleeding disorders, which share a common factor in the body's |
| inability to form a proper blood clot, are characterized by extended bleeding and can lead to |
| significant morbidity and fatality 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, Awareness during this month will generate greater understanding not only |
| for hemophilia but for all inheritable bleeding disorders, including von Willebrand Disease, |
| which alone impacts an estimated 3.2 million Americans; with an estimated 24,000 individuals |
| suffering from hemophilia; and |
| WHEREAS, Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month will also foster a greater sense of |
| community and shared purpose among individuals with all inheritable bleeding disorders and 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 hereby |
| proclaims March of 2024, 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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| LC004874 |
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