11-R235
2011 -- S 0908
Enacted 04/28/11
S E N A T E R E
S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING THE
MONTH OF MAY TO BE LUPUS AWARENESS MONTH IN THE STATE OF
Introduced By: Senator Harold M. Metts
Date Introduced: April 28, 2011
WHEREAS, Each year, the Lupus Foundation of America designates May as
National
Lupus Awareness Month to show support for the
estimated 1.5 million Americans who have
Lupus; and
WHEREAS, Lupus is an
acute and chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease that causes the
immune system to become unbalanced and attack normal tissue,
resulting in inflammation and
tissue damage to virtually every organ system in the body;
and
WHEREAS, Lupus can
affect any part of the body, including the skin, joints, lungs,
heart, blood system, kidneys, and brain. No organ is
spared. The disease can cause seizures,
strokes, heart attacks, miscarriages, and organ failure; and
WHEREAS, While Lupus
strikes mostly women of childbearing age, no one is safe from
Lupus. African Americans, Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, and
Native Americans are two to three
times more likely to develop Lupus, and women are 10 times
more likely than men to be affected
by Lupus--disparities that remain unexplained; and
WHEREAS, Lupus can be
particularly difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are
similar to those of many other diseases, and major gaps exist
in our understanding of the causes
and consequences of Lupus. More than half of all people
with Lupus take four or more years and
visit three or more doctors before obtaining an accurate
diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, Continued research, new medicines and treatment with minimal
side effects
are needed to combat this dreaded illness. Increased
education and support can alert the public to
the challenges that Lupus brings into so many lives and
promote programs of research, education,
and community service within our state; and
WHEREAS, Five thousand
two hundred and sixty-one citizens of the State of
Island are affected by Lupus; now, therefore it be
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of
hereby proclaims the month of May, 2011, to be “Lupus
Awareness Month” in the State of
Island. We furthermore urge all citizens to join with local
Lupus support groups and observe this
month by educating themselves on the symptoms and impact of
Lupus; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is
authorized and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode
Island Lupus Group and the Lupus
Foundation
of America, Inc.
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LC02238
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