| R 261 |
| 2015 -- S 0890 Enacted 05/07/2015 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY, 2015, TO BE "BRAIN TUMOR AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
| Introduced By: Senators Goodwin, Paiva Weed, Ruggerio, Nesselbush, and Morgan |
| Date Introduced: May 07, 2015 |
| WHEREAS, Each year, doctors find a brain tumor in over 200 Rhode Islanders and a |
| spine tumor in even more, and across the country, approximately 100,000 Americans will be |
| diagnosed with a primary or metastatic brain tumor, with the number of cases continuing to |
| increase, especially among the elderly; and |
| WHEREAS, In children, almost 4,200 new malignant and non-malignant brain tumor |
| diagnoses occur each year. Brain tumors are currently the second leading cause of cancer death |
| for children under the age of 19, and the third leading cause of cancer death for young adults ages |
| 20 to 39; and |
| WHEREAS, Brain tumors may be malignant or benign, but can be life-threatening in |
| either case and diagnosis and treatment are often complicated by the fact that more than 100 |
| different types of brain tumors exist; and |
| WHEREAS, Symptoms of brain tumors may include headaches, nausea and vomiting, |
| difficulty with memory, loss of movement, coordination or sensation, and visual disturbance, and |
| because brain tumors are located at the control center for thought, emotion, and movement, |
| treatments are complicated and the overall effects of tumors on patients can be devastating; and |
| WHEREAS, Improving the outlook for adults and children with brain tumors requires |
| research into the causes of and better treatments for brain tumors, awareness of symptoms and |
| warning signs, education on treatment options, access to quality specialty care, and readily |
| available follow-up care and rehabilitative services; and |
| WHEREAS, In 2008, the Rhode Island Brain & Spine Tumor Foundation was founded |
| by Dr. Prakash Sampath in the City of Providence. The Foundation strives to increase the |
| public’s knowledge about brain and spine injury and also takes an active role in providing |
| educational opportunities for patients and clinicians in our state. In addition, the Foundation acts |
| as a liaison between the Rhode Island community and the national associations for brain and |
| spine tumor research; and |
| WHEREAS, In order to improve the quality of life for patients, the Foundation provides |
| social support initiatives for those individuals who are battling brain tumors, as well as for the |
| families, friends, and caregivers of those who are affected by a neuro-oncological disease; and |
| WHEREAS, The Foundation also inspires people to reveal the challenges they have |
| faced in their own lives and to express how they overcome them. Sharing these stories of |
| survival often helps to inspire others to triumph over their challenges and to live fuller lives; now, |
| therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations |
| hereby applauds the commitment that the Rhode Island Brain & Spine Tumor Foundation has |
| demonstrated and proudly proclaims the month of May, 2015, to be "Brain Tumor Awareness |
| Month"; 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 the Rhode Island Brain & Spine Tumor |
| Foundation. |
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| LC002559 |
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