SR-188, As Adopted by Senate, June 8, 2016

Senator Knollenberg offered the following resolution:

Senate Resolution No. 188.

A resolution to commemorate July 15, 2016, as Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day.

Whereas, Leiomyosarcoma (LMS) is one of the forms of a very rare and aggressive cancer, or sarcoma, that originates in the smooth or involuntary muscle tissue; and

Whereas, LMS affects only 6 out of every 1 million people, but is highly aggressive and likely to infect other areas of the body, including the lungs, liver, or lymph nodes; and

Whereas, As a soft tissue sarcoma, LMS is highly resistant to many chemotherapeutic agents and radiation treatments; and

Whereas, Most LMS patients choose to be cared for by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals, and it is extremely important to get help with this rare form of cancer from a sarcoma center which sees a large number of leiomyosarcoma patients; and

Whereas, Many local oncologists rarely see more than one or two cases of LMS in their entire career, and most sarcoma centers will work with local oncologists to help make the best choices for patient care; and

Whereas, We hereby recognize and express our gratitude to the individuals, families, friends, and caregivers dealing with LMS, as well as the doctors and researchers who are seeking a cause or cure; and

Whereas, The state of Michigan recognizes the efforts of the Leiomyosarcoma Direct Research Foundation and the National Leiomyosarcoma Foundation to assure the development of the means to cure and control LMS and to improve the quality of life for those with this disease until the cure is found; and

Whereas, Michigan residents are encouraged to tweet, post, and share their stories and images using the #lmsarcoma hashtag on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and other social media platforms; and

Whereas, Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day helps educate communities about LMS cancer and increases the awareness that surrounds it. The importance of education and knowledge about the disease cannot be overstated and contributes to the ability to lead a healthy, balanced, and productive life; and

Whereas, The Michigan Legislature is strongly dedicated to preserving the health of the residents of this state and in supporting the fight against leiomyosarcoma; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate, That the members of this legislative body hereby commemorate July 15, 2016, Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day in the state of Michigan. We encourage increased public awareness and promotion of treatment and recovery.