Bill Text: NJ SJR77 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designates April of each year as "Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Education and Awareness Month."
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-04-15 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee [SJR77 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-SJR77-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator ROBERT M. GORDON
District 38 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Designates April of each year as "Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Education and Awareness Month."
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution designating April of each year as "Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Education and Awareness Month."
Whereas, Pemphigus and pemphigoid are rare autoimmune diseases that involve the skin and frequently one or more mucous membranes; and
Whereas, Pemphigus occurs when an individual's own antibodies attack desmogleins which bind skin cells together, and pemphigoid occurs when the individual's own antibodies attack proteins in lower layers of the skin; and
Whereas, Pemphigus and pemphigoid can cause blisters in the mouth and torso that can be painful; and
Whereas, It is estimated that between 2,000 and 2,500 individuals in the United States, and more than 45,000 individuals around the world, are diagnosed with pemphigus or pemphigoid each year; and
Whereas, Pemphigus and pemphigoid are more common in women than men, and often show initial signs in individuals over 50 years of age; and
Whereas, The cause of pemphigus has been linked to the ST18 gene and may be genetically determined, with research showing individuals of Jewish descent are 40 times more likely than others to develop pemphigus or pemphigoid; and
Whereas, Although most individuals with pemphigus or pemphigoid have normal or near-normal life expectancy, individuals with pemphigus vulgaris or bullous pemphigoid have higher rates of mortality; and
Whereas, Even though there is no cure for pemphigus or pemphigoid, medications can suppress the immune system, thereby allowing the skin to heal, or intravenous immunoglobulin infusions may be given to rapidly remove pemphigus antibodies from a patient; and
Whereas, These medications can cause a number of side effects, such as a puffy face, sleeplessness, depression, and high blood pressure; and
Whereas, Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Education and Awareness Month is an effort to raise the public's awareness of these diseases, promote an understanding of the scope of the diseases, and assist those with pemphigus and pemphigoid in making educated decisions about their health care; and
Whereas, The Legislature recognizes the importance of understanding pemphigus and pemphigoid, including their causes and effects, and of supporting and encouraging education programs and research to develop effective therapies and find a cure; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. April of each year is designated as "Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Education and Awareness Month" in order to raise public awareness of the signs and symptoms of these diseases and encourage public understanding and support for those individuals who are coping with them.
2. The Governor shall annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, health care professionals, and the citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs designed to raise public awareness of these diseases.
3. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution designates the month of April in each year as "Pemphigus and Pemphigoid Education and Awareness Month."
The resolution directs the Governor to annually issue a proclamation calling upon public officials, health care professionals, and the citizens of this State to observe the month with appropriate activities and programs designed to raise public awareness of these diseases.
