THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

INTRODUCED BY MARSICO, SOLOBAY, ADOLPH, BAKER, BENNINGHOFF, BEYER, BOBACK, BRIGGS, BROOKS, CALTAGIRONE, CAUSER, CLYMER, COHEN, D. COSTA, CREIGHTON, DALLY, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, ELLIS, EVERETT, FAIRCHILD, FRANKEL, GABLER, GEIST, GINGRICH, GOODMAN, HARHART, HARKINS, HELM, HENNESSEY, HICKERNELL, M. KELLER, KILLION, KORTZ, KOTIK, KULA, LONGIETTI, MAHER, MAHONEY, MAJOR, MANN, MARSHALL, McCALL, MELIO, MENSCH, MICOZZIE, MILLARD, MILNE, MOUL, MUNDY, MUSTIO, OBERLANDER, D. O'BRIEN, O'NEILL, PALLONE, PEIFER, PHILLIPS, QUINN, RAPP, READSHAW, REICHLEY, ROHRER, ROSS, SAINATO, SANTONI, SAYLOR, SEIP, SIPTROTH, STABACK, STEVENSON, SWANGER, TALLMAN, TRUE, TURZAI, VEREB, VULAKOVICH, WATSON, WHITE, BEAR, ROCK, BOYD, COX AND MANDERINO, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009

INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35, SEPTEMBER 18, 2009  

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing September 27, 2009, as "Lupus Awareness Day" in

Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Lupus is a chronic, inflammatory disease in which

the body's immune system fails to serve its normal protective

functions and instead forms antibodies that attack healthy

tissues and organs; and

WHEREAS, For most people, lupus is a mild disease affecting

only a few organs, but for others it may cause serious and even

life-threatening problems; and

WHEREAS, An estimated two million Americans have been

diagnosed with lupus, making it more common than leukemia,

multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy and cystic fibrosis

combined; and

WHEREAS, Lupus can occur at any age and in either sex,

although it appears ten times more frequently in women than in

men, and the symptoms of the disease are the same in both men

and women; and

WHEREAS, Lupus affects one out of every 185 Americans, and

the disease is more prevalent in African Americans, Latinos,

Native Americans and Asians; and

WHEREAS, While the cause of lupus is unknown, scientists

believe there is a genetic predisposition to the disease, and it

is known that certain factors also play a critical role in

triggering lupus in a patient who is predisposed, such as

infections, antibiotics or other medications, pregnancy,

ultraviolet light and extreme stress; and

WHEREAS, Although lupus is known to occur within families,

there is no known gene which is thought to cause the illness;

and

WHEREAS, The prognosis of lupus is much better today than

ever before; however, medical science has not yet developed a

method for curing lupus, and some people do die from

complications of the disease; and

WHEREAS, Better diagnostic techniques, evaluation methods and

a more cautious use of medications have given physicians the

tools to more effectively manage lupus symptoms and

complications, and with early diagnosis and current methods of

therapy, 80% to 90% of people with lupus can look forward to a

normal lifespan; and

WHEREAS, The Lupus Foundation of Pennsylvania serves as a

source of hope and is dedicated to promoting awareness,

eduction, service and research for the 66,000 Pennsylvanians

affected by the disease; and

WHEREAS, On September 27, 2009, the Lupus Foundation of

Pennsylvania is hosting the "Lupus Loop 2009 5k Walk/Run" in

Harrisburg to raise funds to provide current information on

lupus to the general public, help educate health care

professionals on all aspects of lupus and create programs to

support lupus patients; therefore be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize

September 27, 2009, as "Lupus Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.