Bill Text: WV SR48 | 2019 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Designating February 18, 2019, as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Passed) 2019-02-18 - Completed legislative action [SR48 Detail]
Download: West_Virginia-2019-SR48-Introduced.html
SENATE RESOLUTION 48
(By Senators Smith, Jeffries, Lindsay, Stollings, Swope, and Maroney)
[Introduced February 18, 2019]
Designating February 18, 2019, as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day at the Capitol.
Whereas, In 2019, an estimated 56,770 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the United States, and 45,750 will die from the disease; and
Whereas, Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers, is currently the third leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and it is projected to become the second leading cause around 2020; and
Whereas, Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest cancers with a five-year relative survival rate in the single digits, at just nine percent; and
Whereas, When symptoms of pancreatic cancer present themselves, it is generally in later stages, and 73 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first year of their diagnosis, while 91 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first five years; and
Whereas, Approximately 300 deaths will occur in West Virginia in 2019; and
Whereas, This is the same disease which claimed the life of: Former West Virginia Governor, William Marland; actor, Patrick Swayze; Super Bowl MVP, Harvey Martin; and the Queen of Soul, Aretha Franklin; and
Whereas, One of the less than 20 percent of patients diagnosed with pancreatic cancer who was able to have the Whipple surgery is our own John Homburg, who is currently a bill drafter for the West Virginia Legislature, and retired as the Director of Legislative Services in 2014; and
Whereas, Pancreatic cancer is the seventh most common cause of cancer-related death across the world; and
Whereas, While overall cancer incidences and cancer death rates are declining, the incidence of pancreatic cancer and death rate for pancreatic cancer patients has been increasing. The number of new pancreatic cancer incidences has been increasing and is projected to increase by 55 percent between now and 2030; and
Whereas, The good health and well-being of the residents of West Virginia are enhanced as a direct result of increased awareness about the symptoms and risk factors of pancreatic cancer, and research into early detection, causes, and effective treatments; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate:
That the Senate hereby designates February 18, 2019, as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day at the Capitol; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the appropriate representatives of Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day.
