09-R279
2009 -- S 0975
Enacted 06/11/09
S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING THE
LAST WEEK IN MAY, 2009 AS "EHLERS-DANLOS SYNDROME AWARENESS WEEK" IN
THE STATE OF
Introduced By: Senator Dennis L. Algiere
Date Introduced: June 09, 2009
WHEREAS, The citizens of
all Rhode Islanders will have the opportunity to live a
safe and healthy life. Rhode Islanders are
proud to support observances that raise awareness of issues
such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome; and
WHEREAS, Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is a group of hereditary disorders
that
affects mainly the skin and joints, but other organs as well.
It is a relatively rare disorder,
occurring in fewer than 1 in 20,000 people; and
WHEREAS, The various forms of EDS are characterized by abnormalities
in the
chemical structure of the body’s connective tissues, such as
the skin, muscles, tendons and
ligaments. As a result, skin may become fragile and joints
unstable which results in weakness
and/or excessive flexibility of the connective tissues of
the body; and
WHEREAS, Increased awareness in our communities and especially in the
medical
community with subsequent early diagnosis can help prevent surgical
complications, unnecessary
suffering, greater pain, disability and even premature death;
and
WHEREAS, Medical
researchers are studying inherited disorders of connective tissue
and by analyzing the chemical make-up of connective
tissue and the results of gene mutations,
they will some day find ways to treat EDS more
effectively, and perhaps cure or prevent these
diseases; now, therefore be it
RESOLVED,
That this Senate of the State of
hereby proclaims the last week of May, 2009 to be “Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Awareness Week”
to enhance the understanding and raise public awareness
about the need for increased education,
research and support for EDS; and be it further
RESOLVED,
That the Secretary of State be and he hereby is
authorized and directed to
transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to Ms. Helen
Drew, The National Ehler-Danlos
Foundation, and the Rhode Island Department of Health.
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LC02777
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