Bill Text: NJ AJR134 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates October 1 of each year as "Ostomy Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-12-15 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee [AJR134 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AJR134-Introduced.html
No. 134
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
INTRODUCED DECEMBER 15, 2016
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman WAYNE P. DEANGELO
District 14 (Mercer and Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Designates October 1 of each year as "Ostomy Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution permanently designating October 1 as "Ostomy Awareness Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, An ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdomen that allows for the removal of bodily waste when a person has lost the normal function of their digestive or urinary system due to birth defects, colorectal and bladder cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other medical conditions; and
Whereas, This type of surgery is also necessary in cases of severe abdominal or pelvic trauma resulting from accidents or injuries sustained during military service; and
Whereas, The ostomy allows for bodily wastes to pass through the stoma into a "pouch" or "ostomy bag" that is attached on the outside of a person's body; and
Whereas, Ostomy surgery can occur at any age and does not lower the life expectancy of a person who undergoes the surgery. Nearly 75,000 Americans have an ostomy, and approximately 130,000 new ostomy procedures are performed each year; and
Whereas, Through the efforts of the United Ostomy Associations of America Inc., (UOAA) and its 325 affiliated support groups, more opportunities for education, mutual aid, advocacy, and support that are being made available to Americans needing ostomy surgery and their families; and
Whereas, A greater awareness of ostomy is essential in dispelling the fears that confront ostomy surgery patients and their families and in educating the public about the medical reasons for an ostomy; and
Whereas, The permanent establishment of October 1 as "Ostomy Awareness Day" will serve to raise public awareness about ostomy and ostomy surgery, erase the stigma that is sometimes associated with having an ostomy, and ensure that people living with an ostomy are not discriminated against and are accepted as normal and healthy members of their communities; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. October 1 of each year is designated as "Ostomy Awareness Day" in New Jersey in order to raise public awareness about ostomy and ostomy surgery, erase the stigma that is sometimes associated with having an ostomy, and ensure that people living with an ostomy are not discriminated against and are accepted as normal and healthy members of their communities.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing October 1 as "Ostomy Awareness Day" in New Jersey and calling upon public officials, the citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc..
4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution permanently designates October 1 of Ostomy Awareness Day" in New Jersey to raise public awareness about ostomy and ostomy surgery, erase the stigma that is sometimes associated with having an ostomy, and ensure that people living with an ostomy are not discriminated against and are accepted as normal and healthy members of their communities.
