WHEREAS, Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune disease in which the bodys soft tissues contract and harden from an overproduction of collagen; and

WHEREAS, Scleroderma can affect many parts of the body, including skin, internal organs, and blood vessels; and

WHEREAS, Scleroderma sufferers often experience damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract; and

WHEREAS, Scleroderma is associated with many other conditions, including pulmonary hypertension, gastroparesis, Raynauds phenomenon, Sjogrens syndrome, and lupus; and

WHEREAS, Researchers have yet to identify the exact cause or causes of scleroderma; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from scleroderma, 80 percent of those being women; and

WHEREAS, Choctaw Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics may be affected by scleroderma more severely than Caucasians; and

WHEREAS, The estimated total economic impact of scleroderma treatment is estimated to be in excess of $1.5 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, There is a significant need for further research focusing on the epidemiology of scleroderma to increase understanding of the causes of the disease and its treatment; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress has recognized the need to raise awareness of the impact of scleroderma on public health and has designated June 2015 as National Scleroderma Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, The first Systemic Sclerosis World Congress was held in Florence, Italy, where it was officially decided that June 29 would be recognized as World Scleroderma Day; and

WHEREAS, California also should designate a month as Scleroderma Awareness Month to help educate the public about autoimmune diseases and the need for increased research, funding, and effective treatments for those diseases; and

WHEREAS, The designation of such a month would recognize the efforts of health care providers, patients, and scleroderma advocacy organizations to raise awareness of scleroderma and of the need for increased research on scleroderma; and

WHEREAS, June 2015 would be an appropriate month to designate as Scleroderma Awareness Month; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate proclaims the month of June 2015 as Scleroderma Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of the resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

WHEREAS, Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune disease in which the bodys soft tissues contract and harden from an overproduction of collagen; and

WHEREAS, Scleroderma can affect many parts of the body, including skin, internal organs, and blood vessels; and

WHEREAS, Scleroderma sufferers often experience damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract; and

WHEREAS, Scleroderma is associated with many other conditions, including pulmonary hypertension, gastroparesis, Raynauds phenomenon, Sjogrens syndrome, and lupus; and

WHEREAS, Researchers have yet to identify the exact cause or causes of scleroderma; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from scleroderma, 80 percent of those being women; and

WHEREAS, Choctaw Native Americans, African Americans, and Hispanics may be affected by scleroderma more severely than Caucasians; and

WHEREAS, The estimated total economic impact of scleroderma treatment is estimated to be in excess of $1.5 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, There is a significant need for further research focusing on the epidemiology of scleroderma to increase understanding of the causes of the disease and its treatment; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress has recognized the need to raise awareness of the impact of scleroderma on public health and has designated June 2015 as National Scleroderma Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, The first Systemic Sclerosis World Congress was held in Florence, Italy, where it was officially decided that June 29 would be recognized as World Scleroderma Day; and

WHEREAS, California also should designate a month as Scleroderma Awareness Month to help educate the public about autoimmune diseases and the need for increased research, funding, and effective treatments for those diseases; and

WHEREAS, The designation of such a month would recognize the efforts of health care providers, patients, and scleroderma advocacy organizations to raise awareness of scleroderma and of the need for increased research on scleroderma; and

WHEREAS, June 2015 would be an appropriate month to designate as Scleroderma Awareness Month; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate proclaims the month of June 2015 as Scleroderma Awareness Month; and be it further

Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of the resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 THIRD READING 

Bill No: SR 30

Author: Runner (R)

Introduced: 5/18/15

Vote: Majority

SUBJECT: Scleroderma Awareness Month

SOURCE: Author

DIGEST: This resolution proclaims the month of June 2015 as Scleroderma Awareness Month.

ANALYSIS: This resolution makes the following legislative findings:

1. Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune disease in which the body’s soft tissues contract and harden from an overproduction of collagen.

2. Scleroderma can affect many parts of the body, including skin, internal organs, and blood vessels.

3. Scleroderma sufferers often experience damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract.

4. Researchers have yet to identify the exact cause or causes of scleroderma.

5. There is a significant need for further research focusing on the epidemiology of scleroderma to increase understanding of the causes of the disease and its treatment.

This resolution proclaims the month of June 2015 as Scleroderma Awareness Month.

Prior Legislation

SCR 91 (Runner, Resolution Chapter 70, Statutes of 2012) proclaimed June 2012 as Scleroderma Awareness Month.

SCR 39 (Runner, Resolution Chapter 46, Statutes of 2011) declared June 2011 as Scleroderma Awareness Month.

FISCAL EFFECT: Appropriation: No Fiscal Com.: No Local: No

SUPPORT: (Verified 5/21/15)

None received

OPPOSITION: (Verified 5/21/15)

None received

Prepared by: Karen Chow / SFA / (916) 651-1520

5/26/15 11:36:45

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