PRINTER'S NO.  4496

  

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

  

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

No.

1007

Session of

2010

  

  

INTRODUCED BY READSHAW, NOVEMBER 8, 2010

  

  

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, NOVEMBER 8, 2010  

  

  

  

A RESOLUTION

  

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Designating the month of November 2010 as "Pancreatic Cancer

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Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

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WHEREAS, In 2010, an estimated 43,140 people will be

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diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States, and

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36,800 will die from the disease; and

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WHEREAS, Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers

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and is the fourth-leading cause of cancer death in the United

8

States; and

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WHEREAS, When symptoms of pancreatic cancer present

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themselves, it is usually too late for an optimistic prognosis,

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and 75% of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first year

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of their diagnosis while 94% of pancreatic cancer patients die

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within the first five years; and

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WHEREAS, Incidence of pancreatic cancer is approximately 50%

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higher in African Americans than in other ethnic groups; and

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WHEREAS, Approximately 2,100 deaths occurred in 2010 in

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Pennsylvania; and

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WHEREAS, There is no cure for pancreatic cancer, and there

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have been no significant improvements in survival rates in the

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last 40 years; and

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WHEREAS, The Federal Government invests significantly less

4

money in pancreatic cancer research than it does in any of the

5

other leading cancer killers, and pancreatic cancer research

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constitutes only 2% of the National Cancer Institute's Federal

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research funding, a figure far too low given the severity of the

8

disease, its mortality rate and how little is known about how to

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arrest it; and

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WHEREAS, The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the first

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and only national patient advocacy organization that serves the

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pancreatic cancer community by focusing its efforts on public

13

policy, research funding, patient services and public awareness

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and education related to developing effective treatments and a

15

cure for pancreatic cancer; and

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WHEREAS, The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its

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affiliates in Pennsylvania support those patients currently

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battling pancreatic cancer, as well as to the survivors of those

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who have lost their lives to the disease, and are committed to

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nothing less than a cure; and

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WHEREAS, The good health and well-being of the residents of

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this Commonwealth are enhanced as a direct result of increased

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awareness about pancreatic cancer and research into early

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detection, causes and effective treatments; therefore be it

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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the

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month of November 2010 as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in

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Pennsylvania.

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