Bill Text: DE SR18 | 2023-2024 | 152nd General Assembly | Draft

Delaware Senate Resolution 18

Draft

Bill Title: Expressing Support For The Designation Of March 2024 As National Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month."

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)

Status: (Engrossed) 2024-03-07 - Passed By Senate. Votes: 20 YES 1 ABSENT [SR18 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2023-SR18-Draft.html

SPONSOR:

Sen. Hoffner

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 18

EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE DESIGNATION OF MARCH 2024 AS “NATIONAL MULTIPLE MYELOMA AWARENESS MONTH."

WHEREAS, multiple myeloma (or myeloma) is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow and is called

“multiple” because the cancer can occur at various sites in the body; and

WHEREAS, multiple myeloma causes a variety of adverse health effects, including a weakened immune system,

anemia, kidney damage, and bone deterioration; and

WHEREAS, multiple myeloma is the second most common blood cancer worldwide; and

WHEREAS, multiple myeloma currently affects more than 100,000 people in the United States, with about 35,730

new diagnoses and 12,590 deaths from the disease occurring in 2023, according to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program of the National Cancer Institute; and

WHEREAS, although multiple myeloma has been, and continues to be, most frequently diagnosed among those 65

and over, the disease is increasingly being diagnosed in younger individuals, including those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s; and

WHEREAS, multiple myeloma is almost twice as likely to occur among African-Americans and is one of the

leading causes of cancer deaths among African-Americans, with scientific understanding of the disparity remaining unknown; and

WHEREAS, although the cause of multiple myeloma remains unknown, robust research is being performed in the

United States and internationally into potential genetic, environmental, and other risk factors; and

WHEREAS, additional new drugs and therapies are in the research phase, with patient enrollment in clinical trials

playing an important role in determining safe and effective treatments; and

WHEREAS, understanding and treatment of multiple myeloma has been greatly furthered by advocacy initiatives

promoting awareness, education, research, peer review, and collaboration, and such efforts are to be highly commended; and

WHEREAS, greater awareness of multiple myeloma among clinicians and the public can lead to earlier detection

and treatment, improving health outcomes, and bringing comfort to patients and their families; and

WHEREAS, March is an appropriate month to designate as “National Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month.”

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the 152 ^nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware supports the designation of March 2024 as “National Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month” to increase public knowledge of the disease and advance the vision of finding a cure for multiple myeloma.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution expresses support for the designation of March 2024 as "National Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month."

Author: Senator Hoffner