Bill Text: NJ AJR13 | 2010-2011 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates November of each year as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month."
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Engrossed - Dead) 2010-11-22 - Received in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [AJR13 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2010-AJR13-Introduced.html
No. 13
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
214th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2010 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman VINCENT J. POLISTINA
District 2 (Atlantic)
Assemblyman ALBERT COUTINHO
District 29 (Essex and Union)
SYNOPSIS
Designates November of each year as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
A Joint Resolution designating November of each year as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month."
Whereas, Over the course of the next year, more than 37,680 people in the United States will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Out of this number, 34,290 will die from the disease; and
Whereas, Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest form of cancer; commonly offering little or no hope to the recently diagnosed. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States and this number is rising; and
Whereas, 70% of pancreatic cancer patients will die within the first year of their diagnosis, and 95% of pancreatic cancer patients will die within the first five years. Nearly 1,060 deaths attributable to pancreatic cancer will occur in New Jersey; and
Whereas, There is no cure for pancreatic cancer, and there have been no significant improvements in early detection, treatment methods, or survival rates in the last 25 years; and
Whereas, When symptoms of pancreatic cancer first present themselves, it is usually too late for an optimistic prognosis. The average life expectancy of those diagnosed with metastasis disease is only three to six months; and
Whereas, The incidence of pancreatic cancer is 20% to 30% higher in men than in women, and 40% to 50% higher in African Americans than in other ethnic groups; and
Whereas, The federal government invests less money in pancreatic cancer research than it does in any other leading cancer research; and
Whereas, The health, safety, and welfare of the residents of the State of New Jersey are enhanced as a direct result of increased awareness about pancreatic cancer and research into early detection, causes and effective treatments; and
Whereas, The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the first and only national patient advocacy organization that serves the pancreatic cancer community in the State of New Jersey, and nationwide, by focusing its efforts on public policy, research funding, patient services, public awareness, and education related to developing effective treatments and a cure for pancreatic cancer; and
Whereas, The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and its affiliates in New Jersey provide support to those patients currently battling pancreatic cancer, as well as to those who have lost their lives to the disease, and are committed to nothing less than a cure; and
Whereas, The New Jersey Legislature is strongly dedicated to preserving the health of the residents of this State, and in supporting the fight against pancreatic cancer; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. November of each year is designated as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in the State of New Jersey, and the citizens of New Jersey are urged to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates November of each year as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in New Jersey to increase awareness of this life-threatening disease.
The joint resolution directs the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing November as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month" in New Jersey and calls upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
