Sponsored by:
Senator FRED H. MADDEN, JR.
District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)
Senator JOSEPH F. VITALE
District 19 (Middlesex)
SYNOPSIS
Designates November of each year as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating November of each year as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month."
Whereas, Over the course of the next year, more than 53,070 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Out of this number, 41,780 will die from the disease; and
Whereas, Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest form of cancer; commonly offering little or no hope to the recently diagnosed. Pancreatic cancer is the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States and this number is rising; and
Whereas, 71 percent of pancreatic cancer patients will die within the first year of their diagnosis, and 93 percent of pancreatic cancer patients will die within the first five years. Nearly 1,260 deaths attributable to pancreatic cancer will occur in New Jersey; and
Whereas, There is no cure for pancreatic cancer, and there have been no significant improvements in early detection, treatment methods, or survival rates in the last 25 years; and
Whereas, When symptoms of pancreatic cancer first present themselves, it is usually too late for an optimistic prognosis. The average life expectancy of those diagnosed with metastasis disease is only three to six months; and
Whereas, The incidence of pancreatic cancer is slightly higher in men than in women, and higher in African Americans than in other ethnic groups; and
Whereas, The federal government invests less money in pancreatic cancer research than it does in any other leading cancer research; and
Whereas, The health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the State of New Jersey are enhanced as a direct result of increased awareness about pancreatic cancer and research into early detection, causes, and effective treatments; and
Whereas, The burden for people afflicted with pancreatic cancer has been lessened by the numerous organizations that serve the pancreatic cancer community in the State of New Jersey, and nationwide, by focusing their efforts on public policy, research funding, patient services, public awareness, and education related to developing effective treatments and a cure for pancreatic cancer; and
Whereas, The New Jersey State Legislature is strongly dedicated to preserving the health of the residents of this State, and in supporting the fight against pancreatic cancer; and
Whereas, It is fitting and proper that the Legislature designate the month of November as the time to bring pancreatic cancer into focus by increasing public understanding of the disease, including its prevalence, approaches to screening and prevention, treatment options, and resources that offer updated pancreatic cancer information throughout the year; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. November of each year is designated as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey to help preserve the health of the residents of the State by fostering awareness and understanding of this deadly disease.
2. The Governor is requested to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates November of each year as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in New Jersey to increase awareness of this life-threatening disease.
The joint resolution asks the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing November as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in New Jersey, and calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.