Scleroderma Awareness Day.
The establishment of a specific awareness day underscores California's commitment to public health and the well-being of its constituents. It aims to mobilize community resources, enhance support for individuals living with scleroderma, and promote medical research focused on the disease. By declaring a day of awareness, the bill encourages education among the general populace, healthcare professionals, and families about the challenges faced by individuals with scleroderma and the importance of early diagnosis and treatment.
ACR 99, introduced by Assembly Member Davies on June 16, 2025, seeks to declare June 29, 2025, as Scleroderma Awareness Day in California. This resolution is aimed at raising awareness about scleroderma, a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by the hardening of the skin and potential complications involving internal organs. The bill acknowledges the complexities associated with diagnosing and managing the disease, which affects approximately 300,000 Americans, predominantly women aged between 30 and 50. This declaration emphasizes the need for increased public understanding of scleroderma and support for those impacted.
While there is generally wide support for initiatives that promote health awareness, discussions around ACR 99 may include concerns regarding how such resolutions influence funding and resources from both public and private sectors towards disease-specific programs. Advocacy groups, such as the Scleroderma Foundation of California, are mentioned in the bill as integral to funding educational and awareness programs, indicating a collaborative effort to make a significant impact on the scleroderma community.