Bill Text: MO HCR25 | 2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates the week of May 8 - 14, 2011, as "Sickle Cell Awareness Week" in the State of Missouri
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2011-02-24 - Referred: Tourism and Natural Resources [HCR25 Detail]
Download: Missouri-2011-HCR25-Introduced.html
FIRST REGULAR SESSION
House Concurrent Resolution No. 25
96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVES WALTON GRAY (Sponsor), PACE, STILL, ELLINGER, MAY, OXFORD, CARTER, JONES (63), McCANN BEATTY, PIERSON, CURLS, BROWN (50), WEBB AND SMITH (71) (Co-sponsors).
WHEREAS, sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain an abnormal type of hemoglobin; and
WHEREAS, normal red blood cells contain hemoglobin A. Hemoglobin S and hemoglobin C are abnormal types of hemoglobin; and
WHEREAS, red blood cells containing mostly hemoglobin S do not live as long as normal red blood cells and have difficulty passing through the body's small vessels. These hemoglobin S red blood cells can block small blood vessels, resulting in tissue damage due to less blood reaching that portion of the body; and
WHEREAS, sickle cell trait is an inherited condition in which both hemoglobin A and S are produced in the red blood cells, always more A than S. Sickle cell trait is not a type of sickle cell disease; and
WHEREAS, sickle cell conditions are inherited from parents in much the same way as blood type, hair color and texture, eye color and other physical traits. The types of hemoglobin a person makes in the red blood cells depend upon what hemoglobin genes the person inherits from his or her parents; and
WHEREAS, since sickle cell conditions are inherited from parents, it is important for people to be aware if they are a carrier before having children; and
WHEREAS, more than 80,000 people in the United States have sickle cell disease, affecting mostly persons of African heritage according to the National Institute of Health. Currently, there is no universal cure for sickle cell disease; and
WHEREAS, sickle cell disease results in a shortened life expectancy, with the average life expectancy being 42 years for men and 48 years for women; and
WHEREAS, based on the population of 5 million in the State of Missouri, 600,000 are African American. 1 out of 400 suffers with sickle cell conditions and 1 out of 12 has the sickle cell trait; and
WHEREAS, with these estimated numbers, there are approximately 1,500 individuals with sickle cell conditions and 50,000 individuals with sickle cell trait in the State of Missouri; and
WHEREAS, approximately 700 children, adolescents, and young adults with sickle cell disease reside in the St. Louis Metropolitan area. However, less than 25% of this sickle cell population will graduate from high school or seek higher education; and
WHEREAS, health maintenance for persons with sickle cell disease starts with early diagnosis, preferably when a newborn; and
WHEREAS, treatment of complications often includes antibiotics, pain management, intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and surgery in combination with psychosocial support; and
WHEREAS, there are promising new treatments being developed which can prevent red blood cells from sickling without causing harm to other parts of the body, reduce the frequency of severe pain, acute chest syndrome, and the need for blood transfusions, and provide options to eliminate iron overload caused by repeated blood transfusions; and
WHEREAS, public awareness about sickle cell trait and disease and the numerous programs and screening available is vital to reduce to pervasiveness of sickle cell conditions:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-sixth General Assembly, First Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby designate the week of May 8 - 14, 2011, as "Sickle Cell Awareness Week" in Missouri; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the General Assembly encourages and urges all citizens of this state to participate in activities during Sickle Cell Awareness Week to address the pervasiveness of sickle cell trait and disease and the need to increase public awareness of the available programs and screenings.
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