Bill Text: NJ AJR45 | 2014-2015 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates September of each year as "Histiocytosis Awareness Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2014-01-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health and Senior Services Committee [AJR45 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2014-AJR45-Introduced.html
No. 45
STATE OF NEW JERSEY
216th LEGISLATURE
PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 2014 SESSION
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman CELESTE M. RILEY
District 3 (Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem)
SYNOPSIS
Designates September of each year as "Histiocytosis Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel
A Joint Resolution designating September of each year as "Histiocytosis Awareness Month."
Whereas, Histiocytosis is a rare blood disease that is caused by an excess of white blood cells called histiocytes, which cluster together and can attack the skin, bones, lungs, liver, spleen, gums, ears, eyes, and central nervous system; and
Whereas, The disease can range from limited involvement that spontaneously regresses to progressive multi-organ involvement that can be chronic and debilitating, and, in some cases, life-threatening; and
Whereas, The symptoms of histiocytosis include: waxy, scaly rash; bone lesions; abdominal pain and jaundice; pituitary gland involvement; failure to thrive in infants; mental deterioration; pain and swelling in the face; vision problems; and lung, liver, or spleen dysfunction; and
Whereas, The vast majority of people diagnosed with histiocytosis are children under the age of 10, though it is also found in adults; and
Whereas, The illness is so rare, affecting only 1 in 200,000 children born each year in the United States, there is little research into its cause and treatment, and it is considered an "orphan disease," meaning it strikes too few people to generate government-supported research; and
Whereas, There are numerous classes of histiocytosis, including: Langerhans cell histiocytosis, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, juvenile xanthogranuloma, Rosai-Dorfman disease, and acute monocytic leukemia; and
Whereas, The cause of most forms of histiocytosis is unknown, though they may be triggered by something common in the environment; most forms of histiocytosis are not hereditary and no forms are communicable; and
Whereas, Over the years, cancer treatments have been used in patients with histiocytosis, but the disease is not cancer, and if chemotherapy is used, it is given in much lower doses; and
Whereas, The vast majority of people with histiocytosis survive the disease, some will develop life-long chronic problems, and some, usually very young infants, will die from the disease; and
Whereas, An increased awareness of histiocytosis will bring more understanding for people suffering from the illness, as well as increase research and funding for this "orphan disease"; and
Whereas, It is appropriate that all of the citizens of the State of New Jersey become better informed about histiocytosis and its impact; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. September of each year is designated as "Histiocytosis Awareness Month" in New Jersey and the citizens of New Jersey are encouraged to observe the month 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 month with appropriate activities and programs.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates September of each year as "Histiocytosis Awareness Month" in New Jersey to increase awareness of this rare disease.
Histiocytosis is a blood disease that is caused by an excess of white blood cells called histiocytes. The disease can be chronic and debilitating, and, in some cases, life-threatening. It affects approximately 1 in 200,000 children born each year in the United States. There is little research into its cause and treatment, and it is considered an "orphan disease," meaning it strikes too few people to generate government-supported research.
The joint resolution directs the Governor to annually issue a proclamation recognizing September as "Histiocytosis Awareness Month" in New Jersey and calls upon public officials and the citizens of New Jersey to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs.
