HR0243 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0243 LRB095 11519 KXB 34202 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases; the word "scleroderma" comes from two Greek words: "sclero" meaning hard, and "derma" meaning skin; and

WHEREAS, Hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease; the disease has been called "progressive systemic sclerosis," but the use of that term has been discouraged since it has been found that scleroderma is not necessarily progressive; the disease may take several forms, and there is also much variability among patients; and

WHEREAS, Scleroderma is not contagious, it is not infectious, it is not cancerous or malignant; there are an estimated 300,000 people in the United States who have scleroderma, about one third of whom have the systemic form of scleroderma; localized scleroderma is more common in children, whereas systemic scleroderma is more common in adults; scleroderma can develop and is found in every age group from infants to the elderly, but its onset is most frequent between the ages of 25 to 55; and

WHEREAS, The Greater Chicago Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation is working within the State of Illinois to heighten awareness and aid in funding for research for this disease; and

WHEREAS, The mission of the Greater Chicago Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation is to help patients and their families cope with scleroderma through mutual support programs, peer counseling, physician referrals, and educational information; to promote public awareness and education through patient and health professional seminars, literature, and publicity campaigns; and to stimulate and support research to improve treatment and ultimately find the cause of and cure for scleroderma and related diseases; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we proclaim April 26, 2007 to be Scleroderma Awareness Day in the State of Illinois, asking all the citizens of the State of Illinois to take time to learn more about scleroderma and the need for more funding to combat this disease; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Greater Chicago Chapter of the Scleroderma Foundation as a symbol of our respect.