R 287

2017 -- H 6271 Enacted 05/30/2017

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

COMMEMORATING MAY, 2017, AS "NATIONAL MELANOMA AWARENESS MONTH"

Introduced By: Representatives Blazejewski, Shekarchi, Tanzi, Fogarty, and Edwards

Date Introduced: May 30, 2017

WHEREAS, Skin cancer is a serious problem for people who spend significant time in

the sun outdoors and/or from ultraviolet light from tanning beds; and

WHEREAS, Melanoma is the most deadly form of skin cancer and the second most

common form of cancer for young adults age 15-29; and

WHEREAS, Melanoma accounts for 5 percent of all skin cancers and for 71 percent of

all skin cancer deaths; and

WHEREAS, Melanoma treatment costs approximately $3.3 billion annually in the United

States. Advocacy, increased awareness, and screening will result in meaningful reduction of the

burden of melanoma; and

WHEREAS, Melanoma rates have doubled in Rhode Island since 1991; and

WHEREAS, Members of The Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island are

diligently working to raise awareness about the dangers of sun exposure, to promote safe sun

behaviors, to recognize and treat melanoma as early as possible, when it is still curable, and to

accomplish the objectives within the 2013-2018 Rhode Island Cancer Prevention and Control

Plan; and

WHEREAS, Across the country, the month of May is designated as National Melanoma

Awareness Month; now, therefore be it

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

Providence Plantations hereby commemorating May, 2017, as "National Melanoma Awareness

Month" and encourages all residents to learn more about the prevention of melanoma and other

skin cancers; and be it further

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

transmit two duly certified copies of this resolution to David Rousseau, Chair, Partnership to

Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island.

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LC002746

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