R 293
2023 -- H 6353
Enacted 05/02/2023

H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N
COMMEMORATING MAY OF 2023, AS "BRAIN CANCER AND TUMOR AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Representatives Tanzi, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Ackerman, Chippendale, Casimiro, Kazarian, Knight, Boylan, and Stewart

Date Introduced: May 02, 2023

     WHEREAS, According to the National Brain Tumor Society, brain tumors and cancers
affect Americans at all ages and from all walks of life and the disease has an agonizing impact on
the quality of life for both patients and their families; and
     WHEREAS, Brain tumors are the most common solid cancer in people ages 19 and
younger in the United States and are the leading cause of cancer-related death among children
and adolescents under 19; and
     WHEREAS In Rhode Island, a brain tumor is diagnosed in over 200 Rhode Islanders
annually; and
     WHEREAS, Approximately 70 percent of all brain tumors are benign, and 30 percent are
malignant. Both types have similar signs and symptoms; and
     WHEREAS, A benign tumor may not be cancerous but can be life-threatening by
growing in the brain, and pressing on nearby sections of the brain causing serious injury; and
     WHEREAS, Malignant or cancerous brain tumors can increase and spread to other brain
tissue, causing severe brain damage or death. Both types, malignant and benign tumors, need
treatment to prevent further brain injury; and
     WHEREAS, A primary malignant brain tumor is a rare type of cancer accounting for
only about 1.4 percent of all new cancer cases in the United States with the most common type
known as secondary tumors, meaning they have metastasized or spread to the brain from other
parts of the body such as the lungs, breasts, colon, or prostate; and
     WHEREAS, All brain tumors, both cancerous and benign, can take a toll on a person's
speech, vision, hearing, memory, thoughts, and feelings. The essential parts of our life that make
us unique and make us who we are as human beings come from the brain; and
     WHEREAS, Brain Cancer and Tumor Awareness Month is a time to learn and support
not only brain cancer and tumor research and treatment but also a time to raise awareness and
support for our friends and neighbors who are on a journey they never thought they would have to
take; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby
commemorates May of 2023 as "Brain Cancer and Tumor Awareness Month" and urges all
Rhode Islanders to understand the importance of research, funding, and support for those who are
fighting this unthinkable disease; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Rhode Island Brain and Spine Tumor
Foundation, and the American Brain Tumor Association.
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LC002931
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