Bill Text: NJ AR93 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates June 12, 2014 as "Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-03-10 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee [AR93 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AR93-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CAROLINE CASAGRANDE
District 11 (Monmouth)
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Designates June 12, 2014 as "Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution designating June 12, 2014 as "Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day."
Whereas, Transverse Myelitis is a neurological disorder causing inflammation of the spinal cord, which can damage or destroy myelin, the insulating substance that covers nerve cell fibers; and
Whereas, The occurrence of this disorder includes loss of spinal cord function over the course of several hours to several weeks, and may include substantial pain to the individuals suffering from same; and
Whereas, There are four classic features of Transverse Myelitis: weakness of the legs and arms, pain, sensory alteration and bowel and bladder dysfunction; and
Whereas, Up to 80 percent of the individuals affected by Transverse Myelitis experience a heightened sensitivity to touch, to the extent that the slightest touch (or even clothing against skin) causes substantial discomfort or pain; and
Whereas, Approximately two-thirds of individuals suffering from this disorder only partially recover or do not recover at all, and some individuals will be permanently disabled as a result of this disorder; and
Whereas, Transverse Myelitis can affect both genders, all races and adults and children, with no apparent genetic predisposition; thus family history is not an indicator of the disorder, rendering genetic screening for preventative purposes ineffective; and
Whereas, Although the disorder can strike people of all ages, there are peaks of occurrence between the ages of 10 to 19 years of age and 30 to 39 years of age; and
Whereas, Approximately 1,400 cases of Transverse Myelitis are diagnosed each year, with an occurrence every one to eight individuals per million, and no effective cure currently exists for this disorder; and
Whereas, The exact causes of Transverse Myelitis are unknown, and awareness of this debilitating and incurable disorder may lead to more varied and superior treatment options; and
Whereas, It is altogether fitting and proper for this House, and in the public interest, to designate June 12, 2014 as "Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day"; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. June 12, 2014 is designated as "Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day" to promote awareness and improve diagnosis, treatment and scientific research of this debilitating and incurable neurological disorder.
2. The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a proclamation recognizing June 12, 2014 as "Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day" and call upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
STATEMENT
This resolution designates June 12, 2014 as "Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day" to raise awareness of this debilitating and incurable neurological disorder that strikes regardless of age, race or gender. Moreover, this resolution promotes the advancement of diagnosis, treatment and scientific research of Transverse Myelitis.
Transverse Myelitis affects approximately one to eight individuals per million, and approximately 1,400 new cases are diagnosed annually. Of these cases, 25 percent of those diagnosed are children. The disorder is characterized by four features: weakness of the legs and arms, pain, sensory alteration and bowel and bladder dysfunction. Up to 80 percent of the individuals affected by the disorder experience a heightened sensitivity to touch, to the extent that the slightest touch (or even clothing against skin) causes substantial discomfort or pain.
Only approximately one-third of all individuals diagnosed with this disorder will fully recover after the occurrence of symptoms. Further, approximately one-third of individuals diagnosed with this disorder will experience a partial recovery. Finally, one-third of those affected by this disorder will not experience any level of recovery. The extent of injury can range from minimal urinary and bowel effects and paresthesia (tingling sensation) in mild cases, to spastic gait, sensory dysfunction and prominent urinary urgency or incontinence in moderate cases, to remaining wheel-chair bound or bedridden with extensive dependence on others for basic daily living needs in the most severe cases.
Little is known as to the cause of Transverse Myelitis, and the disorder has the potential to drastically impact an individual's quality of life from a very young age. The sponsor hopes that greater awareness of this disorder may lead to earlier diagnosis, superior treatment and greater dedication to scientific research.
