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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

  
 
2    WHEREAS, Lymphedema is swelling that occurs in the arms and 
3legs of an individual, often
caused by the removal of or damage 
4to lymph nodes as part of a cancer treatment or other

5infection; and
  
 
6    WHEREAS, The factors that increase the risk of lymphedema 
7include cancer treatment, age,
excess weight or obesity, or 
8rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis; and
  
 
9    WHEREAS, Undiagnosed lymphedema can lead to serious 
10complications, such as bacterial
infections of the skin and 
11lymph vessels or lymphangiosarcoma, which is a rare form of 
12soft tissue
cancer that results from severe cases of the 
13disease; and
  
 
14    WHEREAS, Lymphedema cannot be cured, but the symptoms can 
15be managed through a variety
of treatment options, such as 
16exercise, massage, therapy, and compression garments; and
  
 
17    WHEREAS, The necessary compression garments and therapy 
18treatment options can cost
between $200-$3,000 for a patient 
19and are often not covered by insurance plans; and
  
 
20    WHEREAS, Lymphedema is not well-known and is often 
 
 
HR0926- 2 -LRB099 11746 MST 33605 r

1underdiagnosed; therefore, be it
  
 
2    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
3NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we 
4encourage increased public
awareness of lymphedema; and be it 
5further
  
 
6    RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be 
7delivered to the Governor of Illinois,
the Director of the 
8Illinois Department of Public Health, all constitutional 
9officers, and all members
of the Illinois General Assembly in 
10order to raise awareness of lymphedema.