2019 -- H 5899

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2019

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MARCH, 2019, AS "BLEEDING DISORDERS

AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

     

     Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Williams, Morin, Jackson, and Casey

     Date Introduced: March 26, 2019

     Referred To: House read and passed

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     WHEREAS, In March of 2016, The United States Department of Health and Human

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Services approved the inclusion of Bleeding Disorders Month on its National Observances

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Calendar. Subsequently, March of each year is now officially recognized nationally as "Bleeding

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Disorders Awareness Month" in the United States; and

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     WHEREAS, This designation formalized and expanded upon the designation 33 years

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ago of March, 1986, as "Hemophilia Awareness Month" by President Ronald Reagan; and

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     WHEREAS, These bleeding disorders, which share the inability to form a proper blood

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clot, are characterized by extended bleeding and can lead to significant morbidity and can be fatal

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if not treated effectively; and

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     WHEREAS, Many individuals with hemophilia became infected with HIV and Hepatitis

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C in the 1980s due to the contamination of the blood supply and blood products; and

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     WHEREAS, This Awareness Month will generate greater awareness and understanding

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of not only hemophilia but all inheritable bleeding disorders, including von Willebrand Disease,

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which alone impacts an estimated 1.4 million Americans; with an estimated 1,100 individuals

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suffering from hemophilia and other inheritable bleeding disorders in Rhode Island; and

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     WHEREAS, This Awareness Month will foster a greater sense of community and shared

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purpose among individuals with all inheritable bleeding disorders; and

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     WHEREAS, This Awareness Month will elevate awareness of and engagement in the

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inheritable bleeding disorders journey beyond our community to the general public, enabling the

 

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prevention of illness, unnecessary procedures, and disability; now, therefore be it

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     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island and

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Providence Plantations hereby proclaims March, 2019, as "Bleeding Disorders Awareness

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Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further

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

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transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Richard Pezzillo, Executive Director, New

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England Hemophilia Association.

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