P1 1WHEREAS, Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune
2disease in which the body’s soft tissues contract and harden from
3an overproduction of collagen; and
4WHEREAS, Scleroderma can affect many parts of the body,
5including skin, internal organs, and blood vessels; and
6WHEREAS, Scleroderma sufferers often experience damage
7to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal tract; and
8WHEREAS, Scleroderma is associated with many other
9conditions, including pulmonary hypertension, gastroparesis,
10Raynaud’s phenomenon, Sjögren’s syndrome, and lupus; and
11WHEREAS, Researchers have yet to identify the exact cause
12or causes of scleroderma; and
13WHEREAS, An estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from
14scleroderma, 80 percent of those being women; and
15WHEREAS, Choctaw Native Americans, African Americans,
16and Hispanics may be affected by scleroderma more severely than
17Caucasians; and
18WHEREAS, The estimated total economic impact of
19scleroderma treatment is estimated to be in excess of $1.5 billion
20annually; and
21WHEREAS, There is a significant need for further research
22focusing on the epidemiology of scleroderma to increase
23understanding of the causes of the disease and its treatment; and
24WHEREAS, The United States Congress has recognized the
25need to raise awareness of the impact of scleroderma on public
P2 1health and has designated June 2015 as National Scleroderma
2Awareness Month; and
3WHEREAS, The first Systemic Sclerosis World Congress was
4held in Florence, Italy, where it was officially decided that June
529 would be recognized as World Scleroderma Day; and
6WHEREAS, California also should designate a month as
7Scleroderma Awareness Month to help educate the public about
8autoimmune diseases and the need for increased research, funding,
9and effective treatments for those diseases; and
10WHEREAS, The designation of such a month would recognize
11the efforts of health care providers, patients, and scleroderma
12advocacy organizations to raise awareness of scleroderma and of
13the need for increased research on scleroderma; and
14WHEREAS, June 2015 would be an appropriate month to
15designate as Scleroderma Awareness Month; now, therefore, be
16it
17Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, That the Senate
18proclaims the month of June 2015 as Scleroderma Awareness
19Month; and be it further
20Resolved, That the Secretary of the Senate transmit copies of
21the resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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