| R 323 |
| 2026 -- S 3281 Enacted 05/12/2026 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| RECOGNIZING MAY 2026 AS "FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Senators Murray, Lawson, Felag, Tikoian, Appollonio, LaMountain, McKenney, Sosnowski, Rogers, and Famiglietti |
| Date Introduced: May 12, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia, a chronic medical condition affecting the central nervous |
| system for which there is currently no cure, causes fatigue and debilitating pain in women, men, |
| and children, many of whom go undiagnosed; and |
| WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia is characterized by widespread musculoskeletal pain, |
| cognitive difficulties, and other symptoms that significantly impact quality of life, and patients |
| with this chronic pain illness often live with widespread body pain, extreme fatigue, sleep |
| disorders, stiffness, weakness, headaches, numbness, tingling, memory impairment, and difficulty |
| concentrating; and |
| WHEREAS, The risk of developing fibromyalgia is about eight times higher for first- |
| degree relatives of affected individuals; and |
| WHEREAS, Patients with fibromyalgia often have a number of co-existing conditions |
| which may include chronic myofascial pain, IBS, TMJD, migraines, environmental sensitivities, |
| anxiety, and depression; and |
| WHEREAS, Fibromyalgia affects millions of individuals in the United States and around |
| the world, with many patients facing challenges in obtaining timely diagnosis, effective |
| treatment, and public understanding of their condition; and |
| WHEREAS, It may take years to receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and medical |
| professionals are frequently inadequately educated on the current research, diagnosis, and |
| treatment of fibromyalgia; and |
| WHEREAS, Increased public awareness and education regarding fibromyalgia can help |
| reduce stigma, encourage compassionate support for those living with the condition, and promote |
| earlier recognition and access to care to better support people who struggle with the multifaceted |
| management challenges of this complex chronic pain illness and common co-existing conditions; |
| and |
| WHEREAS, Healthcare providers, researchers, advocates, caregivers, and individuals |
| living with fibromyalgia continue to work toward advancing research, improving treatment |
| options, and supporting those impacted by chronic pain disorders; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby recognizes May 2026 |
| as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Month" and May 12, 2026 as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day", and |
| encourages all residents, organizations, healthcare professionals, and community leaders to |
| increase awareness and understanding of fibromyalgia and support those affected by this |
| condition; 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 National Fibromyalgia Association. |
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| LC006464 |
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