Bill Text: NJ AJR33 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates September 1 of each year "Lily Dryden Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-01-27 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee [AJR33 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-AJR33-Introduced.html
No. 33
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
217th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2016 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman GABRIELA M. MOSQUERA
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Assemblyman PAUL D. MORIARTY
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
SYNOPSIS
Designates September 1 of each year "Lily Dryden Day" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel.
A Joint Resolution permanently designating September 1 as "Lily Dryden Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Immune Thrombocytopenia, or ITP, is an autoimmune disease in which the body mounts an immune attack against itself resulting in the destruction of platelets and, in some cases, impaired platelet production; and
Whereas, Symptoms of ITP include bruises or small purple patches on the skin, spontaneous bleeding in mucus membranes throughout the body, including in the gastrointestinal tract and the brain, fatigue, and depression; and
Whereas, Treatments for ITP vary depending on the severity of symptoms, age, lifestyle, and other associated diseases. Many adults choose not to treat the disease and most children improve whether or not treatment is given; and
Whereas, Chronic ITP and other platelet function disorders are relatively common and affect men and women of all ages, races, and ethnic backgrounds; and
Whereas, It is estimated that more than 120,000 Americans suffer from ITP and the prevalence of the disease in the United States is 10 times more than hemophilia; and
Whereas, About four in every 100,000 children develop ITP each year, usually young children and young adults, and it is more common in girls than boys; and
Whereas, ITP in children is often considered a different disease than ITP in adults because children usually recover more quickly. Adolescents with ITP, however, are more likely to suffer with the disease for a longer period of time than adults; and
Whereas, Lily Dryden, a New Jersey preschooler suffering from ITP, was recently honored by her classmates at The Goddard School with a day of fundraising to bring awareness to the disease; and
Whereas, Classmates and their families who donated during "Lily Day" received ITP awareness bracelets, pens, purple lollipops, and information about the disease and the Platelet Disorder Support Association (PDSA), the largest ITP patient support organization in the United States; and
Whereas, The month of September has been designated as "National ITP Awareness Month" in the United States to raise public awareness of ITP and other platelet function disorders, recognize those suffering with ITP, encourage research about ITP and other similar diseases, and promote the PDSA and its work in providing support to, and advocating for, ITP sufferers and their families; now, therefore,
Be It
Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:
1. September 1st of each year is designated as "Lily Dryden Day" in New Jersey to begin the observance of "National ITP Awareness Month," raise public awareness of ITP and other platelet function disorders, recognize those suffering with ITP, encourage research about ITP and other similar diseases, and promote the PDSA and its work in providing support to, and advocating for, ITP sufferers and their families.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing September 1st as "Lily Dryden 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. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates September 1st of each year as "Lily Dryden Day" in New Jersey and respectfully requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation recognizing the day and calling on public officials, citizens of the State, and other interested groups to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
Lily Dryden is a preschooler in New Jersey who has Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP), a condition characterized by a reduced platelet count which results in spontaneous bleeding and bruising. Although the condition is often temporary and many patients do not seek medical attention for their symptoms, in extreme cases ITP can result in severe or life-threatening symptoms.
The month of September has been designated as "National ITP Awareness Month" in the United States to raise awareness of ITP and other platelet function disorders, recognize those with ITP, encourage additional research concerning ITP and similar diseases, and promote organizations that provide support to, and advocate for, ITP sufferers and their families. Recognizing September 1 of each year as "Lily Dryden Day" will signal the commencement of National ITP Awareness Month activities in New Jersey.
This joint resolution was pre-filed for introduction in the 2014-2015 session pending technical review. As reported, the joint resolution includes the changes required by technical review, which has been performed.
