| R 312 |
| 2023 -- H 6383 Enacted 05/09/2023 |
| H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING MAY 10TH, 2023, TO BE "LUPUS DAY" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Representatives Diaz, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Edwards, Slater, Kennedy, Azzinaro, Vella-Wilkinson, McGaw, and Caldwell |
| Date Introduced: May 09, 2023 |
| WHEREAS, Lupus is a chronic, severe and unpredictable autoimmune disease that can |
| cause life-threatening damage to any organ in the body by causing the immune system to attack |
| normal tissue, resulting in inflammation in various parts of the body, particularly the skin, joints, |
| blood system, and kidneys. It develops most commonly in women between the ages of 15 and 45; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, Lupus is a global health problem. Every day roughly 1.5 million Americans, |
| and at least five million people worldwide, struggle with the debilitating health consequences of |
| lupus, a condition during which the immune system is compromised to the extent that it is unable |
| to distinguish the body's own cells and tissues from foreign invaders; and |
| WHEREAS, There is an urgent need to develop tools that will improve patient and |
| physician communication. Many primary care physicians are not fully aware of all the signs and |
| symptoms of lupus, causing people with lupus to suffer for many years before obtaining a |
| diagnosis and treatment; and |
| WHEREAS, There remains low public awareness and understanding of lupus symptoms. |
| People with lupus need access to medical specialists and high-quality multidisciplinary care |
| including emotional, psychological, and social care; and |
| WHEREAS, World Lupus Day was first celebrated in the United States in 2004, with the |
| issuance of the first World Lupus Day Proclamation, which identified this historic day and was |
| aimed at raising awareness of the plight and the treatment requirements of millions of people; |
| now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby |
| proclaims May 10th of 2023, to be "Lupus Day" in our State and joins advocates from around the |
| globe in calling for greater awareness of lupus and its consequences; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That this House hereby urges and supports enhanced charitable donations |
| to the Lupus Foundation of America and all organizations engaged in lupus research and patient |
| services, and in this noble enterprise on behalf of all who are affected by lupus; 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 LUPUS Foundation of America, |
| Connecticut Chapter, Inc. |
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| LC002866 |
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