| 1 | 1 | | 25 LC 112 3238 |
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| 2 | 2 | | Senate Resolution 403 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By: Senators Jackson of the 41st, Goodman of the 8th, Merritt of the 9th, Mangham of the |
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| 4 | 4 | | 55th, Rhett of the 33rd and others |
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| 5 | 5 | | A RESOLUTION |
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| 6 | 6 | | Commending Valerie Taylor; and for other purposes. |
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| 7 | 7 | | 1 |
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| 8 | 8 | | WHEREAS, Valerie Taylor has devoted herself to advocating for cancer patients and their2 |
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| 9 | 9 | | families, drawing upon her own courageous battles with blood cancer and breast cancer to3 |
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| 10 | 10 | | inspire and empower others in the relentless fight for equitable healthcare access and4 |
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| 11 | 11 | | life-saving treatments; and5 |
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| 12 | 12 | | WHEREAS, Valerie's advocacy efforts began in earnest following her own diagnosis of6 |
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| 13 | 13 | | acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in April 2018. After dedicating decades of her life as a nurse,7 |
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| 14 | 14 | | she was released from her job while caring for her mother, who suffered from advanced8 |
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| 15 | 15 | | dementia. As a result, she fell into Georgia's coverage gap and was left without the critical9 |
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| 16 | 16 | | healthcare coverage she needed—unable to access the life-saving treatments essential for her10 |
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| 17 | 17 | | survival. Throughout this challenging journey, her son, Teferi, has been a constant source of11 |
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| 18 | 18 | | strength, supporting her both emotionally and in her advocacy efforts; and 12 |
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| 19 | 19 | | WHEREAS, despite facing her own battles with cancer, including a diagnosis of breast13 |
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| 20 | 20 | | cancer in 2023, Valerie has been a tireless and passionate advocate, helping to raise14 |
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| 21 | 21 | | awareness about the crucial need to fully close the Medicaid coverage gap to protect patients15 |
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| 22 | 22 | | S. R. 403 |
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| 23 | 23 | | - 1 - 25 LC 112 3238 |
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| 24 | 24 | | like her who are at risk of not being able to access life-saving treatments due to financial |
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| 25 | 25 | | 16 |
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| 26 | 26 | | barriers; and17 |
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| 27 | 27 | | WHEREAS, in 2022, Valerie was honored with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS)18 |
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| 28 | 28 | | Advocacy Champion of the Year award, a testament to her selfless dedication to advancing19 |
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| 29 | 29 | | the LLS mission and her commitment to policy change that benefits the millions of20 |
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| 30 | 30 | | Americans without access to Medicaid; and21 |
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| 31 | 31 | | WHEREAS, through her relentless advocacy, including engaging in virtual meetings with22 |
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| 32 | 32 | | lawmakers, her powerful story featured in The Leukemia & Lymphoma's annual report,23 |
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| 33 | 33 | | having her story featured in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and her pivotal role in creating24 |
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| 34 | 34 | | a compelling Medicaid Coverage Gap video, Valerie has amplified the voices of those in25 |
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| 35 | 35 | | need, becoming a driving force in advancing the legislative agenda for improved and26 |
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| 36 | 36 | | equitable access to care; and27 |
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| 37 | 37 | | WHEREAS, Valerie has also been an active member of LLS's Team in Training program,28 |
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| 38 | 38 | | raising nearly $5,000 through a personal fundraiser and completing a 35-mile ride in29 |
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| 39 | 39 | | America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride in Lake Tahoe, further supporting LLS's efforts to fund30 |
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| 40 | 40 | | research and provide hope to patients; and31 |
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| 41 | 41 | | WHEREAS, Valerie continues to advocate for safer, more accessible treatments for all32 |
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| 42 | 42 | | cancer patients and remains unwavering in her commitment to closing the healthcare33 |
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| 43 | 43 | | coverage gap, ensuring that every Georgian has access to the life-saving care they need and34 |
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| 44 | 44 | | deserve; and35 |
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| 45 | 45 | | WHEREAS, Valerie's unwavering courage and determination are an inspiration to all, and36 |
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| 46 | 46 | | her work as The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Advocacy Leader for Georgia represents37 |
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| 47 | 47 | | S. R. 403 |
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| 48 | 48 | | - 2 - 25 LC 112 3238 |
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| 49 | 49 | | the heart of what it means to be a compassionate and dedicated advocate for cancer patients |
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| 50 | 50 | | 38 |
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| 51 | 51 | | and their families; and39 |
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| 52 | 52 | | WHEREAS, Valerie's efforts have made a significant impact on improving the lives of40 |
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| 53 | 53 | | cancer patients and will continue to be felt for years to come as her story and advocacy lead41 |
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| 54 | 54 | | to meaningful policy changes and inspire others to stand up for those in need.42 |
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| 55 | 55 | | NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body43 |
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| 56 | 56 | | commend Valerie Taylor for her outstanding contributions to the Leukemia & Lymphoma44 |
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| 57 | 57 | | Society and to the broader cancer community, recognizing her as a fierce advocate, a45 |
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| 58 | 58 | | survivor, and a hero who has made a lasting impact in the fight for better healthcare access46 |
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| 59 | 59 | | and treatments for blood cancer patients in Georgia and across the country.47 |
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| 60 | 60 | | BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed48 |
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| 61 | 61 | | to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to Valerie Taylor.49 |
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| 62 | 62 | | S. R. 403 |
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| 63 | 63 | | - 3 - |
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