2016 -- S 2779

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2016

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S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE WEEK OF MARCH 22ND THROUGH MARCH 29TH, 2016, AS

"RHODE ISLAND COLORECTAL CANCER AWARENESS WEEK"

     Introduced By: Senators Nesselbush, Paiva Weed, Goodwin, Ruggerio, and Lombardi

     Date Introduced: March 22, 2016

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     WHEREAS, Rhode Island Colorectal Cancer Week has been organized to occur within

the Nationally Observed Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month of March, which is a global

campaign to increase public awareness of the importance of colorectal cancer screening; and

     WHEREAS, Care New England and presenting sponsor Women and Infants' Center for

Women's Gastrointestinal Health, along with the Partnership to Reduce Cancer in Rhode Island

will be presenting colorectal cancer education and awareness events in order to increase

colorectal cancer screening rates and decrease the burden of colorectal cancer for Rhode

Islanders; and

     WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United

States and affects significant suffering in thousands of Rhode Island adults. It can often be

prevented through the detection and removal of precancerous polyps; and

     WHEREAS, One in three adults, about 23 million people, are not getting tested, and

significant disparities in screening do exist; and

     WHEREAS, Regular screenings can significantly reduce the number of deaths from

colorectal cancer by detecting cancerous or other conditions early when treatment is most

effective; and

     WHEREAS, Education and awareness efforts inform the public and help increase the use

of screening tests that may prevent colorectal cancer; and

     WHEREAS, Working with the Legislature to establish the Rhode Island Colorectal

Cancer Awareness Week is a collaborative effort that will not only help to focus awareness about

the importance of colorectal cancer screening, but will help decrease barriers to screening and

ease the burden of suffering caused by this disease in our state; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations

hereby proclaims March 22nd through 29th as the first annual "Rhode Island Colorectal Cancer

Awareness Week." We furthermore encourage all Rhode Islanders to participate in the week-long

planned activities; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Christy L Dibble, DO Director, Women and

Infants Center for Women's Gastrointestinal Health.

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