SR-87, As Adopted by Senate, October 21, 2009

            Senators Patterson, Pappageorge, Clark-Coleman, Richardville, Hardiman, Jacobs, Basham, Gleason and Jansen offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 87.

            A resolution recognizing November 2009 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, Over 37,000 people will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year in the United States, and over 34,000 will die from the disease; and

            Whereas, Pancreatic cancer is the deadliest cancer and the fourth-leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States; and

            Whereas, Approximately 1,250 deaths will occur in Michigan; and

            Whereas, 75 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first year of their diagnosis, and 95 percent of pancreatic cancer patients die within the first five years; 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 30 years; and

            Whereas, When symptoms of pancreatic cancer present themselves, it is usually too late for an optimistic prognosis, and the average life expectancy of those diagnosed with metastasis disease is only three months to six months; and

            Whereas, Incidence of pancreatic cancer is 20 percent to 30 percent higher in men than in women and 40 percent to 50 percent 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 killers; and

            Whereas, The good health and well-being of the residents of Michigan 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 Michigan and nationwide, which focuses its efforts on public policy, research funding, patient services, and 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 Michigan support 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 that a cure; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body recognize November 2009 as Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month in the state of  Michigan, in the hope that all possible support will continue to be extended to pancreatic cancer patients in Michigan and throughout the country and the world.