BILL NUMBER: SCR 33	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  APRIL 23, 2009
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 21, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Senators Calderon, Correa, DeSaulnier, Ducheny,
Lowenthal, and Wyland

                        APRIL 16, 2009

   Relative to Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 33, Calderon. Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month.
   This measure would designate the month of May of each year to be
Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month.




   WHEREAS, 1.4 million American adults and children suffer from
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, two serious and chronic
digestive diseases that can have life threatening complications; and
   WHEREAS, Over the last 50 years the diagnosis of Crohn's disease
and ulcerative colitis has increased 20 fold, and continues to become
more prevalent; and
   WHEREAS, In California, one in 200, or an estimated 200,000
residents, suffer from these digestive diseases, which are incurable
illnesses that attack the digestive system causing abdominal pain,
persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, fever, weight loss,
hospitalization, and surgery; and
   WHEREAS, Between $1.4 billion and $1.8 billion are lost to
businesses and workers because of Crohn's disease and ulcerative
colitis; and
   WHEREAS, Due to the symptoms of these diseases, people often live
in silence about their suffering; and
   WHEREAS, These diseases interfere with the ability to hold a job,
raise a family, go to school, and maintain relationships; and
   WHEREAS, The symptoms and the chronic nature of these diseases may
cause severe social isolation, depression, and anxiety; and
   WHEREAS, Diagnosis can occur at any age, but most people develop
Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis at the prime of their lives,
between 15 and 35 years of age, with 10 percent of victims under the
age of 18; and
   WHEREAS, The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America is a
nonprofit, volunteer-driven organization dedicated to finding a cure
and improving the quality of life for adults and children affected by
these digestive diseases. The foundation has designated over $150
million for research, which has lead to the latest medical
breakthroughs and genetic discoveries; and
   WHEREAS, An example of the impact of Crohn's disease is
exemplified by Alexander Marcoccia, a 13-year-old Sacramento resident
battling Crohn's disease. Alexander experienced five months of
bleeding, extreme abdominal pain, fatigue, arthritis, nausea, and
lost 17 percent of his body weight, leaving this once active boy
challenged in his pursuit of school, sports, or any normal childhood
activities; and
   WHEREAS, In the spring, and during May, the foundation hosts Take
Steps for Crohn's and Colitis, the nation's largest annual event
dedicated to finding the cure and improving the quality of life for
the children and adults affected by these seldom discussed diseases;
and
   WHEREAS, The Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America honors
Alexander Marcoccia for his courage in facing this difficult and
painful disease; and
   WHEREAS, Alexander Marcoccia is the foundation's honored hero, and
is encouraging his community to join him at the Take Steps event on
May 9, 2009, at the State Capitol; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature joins Alexander Marcoccia,
the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America, and the 1.4 million
Americans who suffer from Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis in
the fight to defeat these debilitating digestive diseases and create
critically needed public awareness by designating the month of May of
each year to be Crohn's and Colitis Awareness Month; and be it
further
   Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of this
resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.