BILL NUMBER: SCR 31	CHAPTERED
	BILL TEXT

	RESOLUTION CHAPTER  54
	FILED WITH SECRETARY OF STATE  JUNE 17, 2009
	ADOPTED IN SENATE  MAY 14, 2009
	ADOPTED IN ASSEMBLY  JUNE 15, 2009

INTRODUCED BY   Senator Runner
   (Coauthors: Senators Aanestad, Benoit, Cox, Dutton, Harman,
Hollingsworth, Huff, Maldonado, Strickland, Walters, and Wyland)
   (Coauthor: Assembly Member Knight)

                        APRIL 14, 2009

   Relative to Scleroderma Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   SCR 31, Runner. Scleroderma Awareness Month.
   This measure would declare June 2009 as Scleroderma Awareness
Month.



   WHEREAS, Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune disease in
which the body's soft tissues suffer 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 system; and
   WHEREAS, Many sufferers develop pulmonary hypertension as a result
of constriction of the blood vessels; and
   WHEREAS, African Americans are more susceptible to systemic
scleroderma; and
   WHEREAS, Researchers have yet to identify the exact cause or
causes of scleroderma; and
   WHEREAS, Researchers have found links between scleroderma and
rheumatic disease; and
   WHEREAS, An estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from scleroderma,
and 80 percent of those are women; and
   WHEREAS, The estimated total economic impact of scleroderma
treatment is estimated to be in excess of $1.5 billion annually; and
   WHEREAS, The morbidity cost associated with scleroderma is an
estimated $819,000,000 annually; and
   WHEREAS, The direct cost of treatment for scleroderma is estimated
to be $462,000,000 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 a National Scleroderma Awareness Month; and
   WHEREAS, California should also 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 increase awareness of scleroderma and of the need
for increased research on scleroderma; and
   WHEREAS, June 2009 would be an appropriate month to designate as
Scleroderma Awareness Month; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Senate of the State of California, the Assembly
thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims the month of June
2009 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.