R 189

2003 -- S 1079

Enacted 05/13/03

S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING MAY, 2003 AS "STROKE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF

RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator William V. Irons

Date Introduced: May 13, 2003

     WHEREAS, On behalf of the citizens of the State of Rhode Island, we the members of

the Rhode Island General Assembly, are pleased to join the American Stroke Association, a

division of the American Heart Association, in celebrating the month of May as “Stroke

Awareness Month” in the State of Rhode Island; and

     WHEREAS, Acknowledging the month of May offers advocates for stroke awareness,

stroke survivors and their caregivers, and friends and family of stroke victims, an opportunity to

educate the public about these devastating and debilitating effects of stroke; and

     WHEREAS, Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the State of Rhode Island and

throughout the United States of America striking over 700 Rhode Islanders and over 600,000

Americans each year; and

     WHEREAS, Stroke is the leading cause of disability in adults with over 4.5 million

survivors today; and

     WHEREAS, The majority of Rhode Islanders and Americans are not yet aware of their

risk factors for a stroke, nor are they yet aware of the warning signs and symptoms of an

impeding stroke; and

     WHEREAS, Those of greater risk of stroke are those above the age of 55, have a family

history of cardiovascular disease or stroke, previous strokes, high blood pressure, tobacco product

consumption and/or exposure, have diabetes, have cardiovascular disease, and/or have an increase

in red blood cell count; and

     WHEREAS, The warning signs and symptoms of stroke include sudden numbness or

weakness of the face, arm, and/or leg, especially on one side of the body; sudden confusion,

trouble speaking, and/or understanding; sudden vision strain or loss in one or both eyes; sudden

difficulty walking, dizziness, loss of maintained balance or coordination; and/or sudden severe

headache without a known cause; and

     WHEREAS, At any occurrence of these warnings signs and symptoms – call “911”; and

     WHEREAS, Stroke kills more Rhode Island and American women each year than breast

cancer, and the stroke death rate is greater among African-Americans and Senior Citizens; and

     WHEREAS, New and effective treatments have been developed to treat and ease the

severity and debilitating effects of stroke, yet much more research is needed; and

     WHEREAS, The citizens of the State of Rhode Island support and applaud any local

research being conducted that moves us closer to a cure; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations,

and on behalf of the citizens of the State, hereby proclaim the month of May, 2003 to be Stroke

Awareness Month in the State of Rhode Island. We urge all citizens to familiarize themselves

with the warning signs and symptoms, as well as the risk factors associated with stroke so that we

might begin to reduce the devastating and debilitating effects that occur to stroke victims and

their caregivers, family and friends within the State of Rhode Island.

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LC03261

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