BILL NUMBER: SR 30	ENROLLED
	BILL TEXT

	ADOPTED IN SENATE  JUNE 1, 2015
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  MAY 18, 2015

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Runner

                        MAY 18, 2015

   Relative to Scleroderma Awareness Month


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST
             HOUSE OR SENATE RESOLUTIONS DO NOT CONTAIN A DIGEST



   WHEREAS, Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune disease in
which the body's 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, Raynaud's
phenomenon, Sj�gren's 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.