HR0329LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r HR0329 LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r HR0329 LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r 1 HOUSE RESOLUTION 2 WHEREAS, The month of September each year is recognized as 3 National Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month to increase 4 knowledge and awareness of scarring alopecia; and 5 WHEREAS, Scarring (cicatricial) alopecia (hair loss) is 6 still not well-known among patients and the public; many 7 patients and the public do not know the difference between 8 non-scarring alopecia and scarring alopecia; scarring alopecia 9 encompasses a group of hair loss disorders that causes 10 inflammation, and the hair follicles are irreversibly 11 destroyed (permanently damaged) and replaced by fibrous 12 tissue; there is no way to regrow the hair that is already lost 13 and permanently damaged; and 14 WHEREAS, Within the alopecia population, the prevalence of 15 scarring alopecia is believed to be approximately 7%, but not 16 enough epidemiological studies have been performed to 17 determine the incidence of scarring (cicatricial) alopecias; 18 clinically, it is defined as one or more patches of permanent 19 alopecia on the scalp; these may remain discrete or coalesce 20 to produce a near total alopecia; within the patches, the skin 21 is bald, smooth, and shiny, and pores are absent because of a 22 complete loss of follicular openings; and HR0329 LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r HR0329- 2 -LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r HR0329 - 2 - LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r HR0329 - 2 - LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r 1 WHEREAS, Scarring hair loss is a traumatizing experience 2 and may negatively impact a hair loss patient's quality of 3 life (QOL); permanent hair loss can be disfiguring and damage 4 an affected individual's self-esteem; currently, there are not 5 any approved Federal Drug Administration (FDA) drugs for 6 scarring (cicatricial) alopecia patients, which often leaves 7 patients feeling defeated and hopeless; and 8 WHEREAS, Bringing awareness to this disease can help those 9 experiencing scarring hair loss remain confident and positive, 10 despite their condition; hair loss often carries a stigma that 11 can only be dispelled with education and knowledge, and for 12 many with this disease, the emotional aspect of living with 13 hair loss can be the greatest challenge; and 14 WHEREAS, National Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month serves 15 as a time to focus on educating hair stylists, medical 16 professionals, undiagnosed patients, and the general 17 population about this traumatic, scarring, and often painful 18 disease; and 19 WHEREAS, National Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month serves 20 as a spark to increase advocacy efforts for scarring alopecia 21 patients and to underscore the importance of understanding 22 this rare disease; therefore, be it HR0329 - 2 - LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r HR0329- 3 -LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r HR0329 - 3 - LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r HR0329 - 3 - LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r 1 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE 2 HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that 3 we recognize the month of September 2023 as being National 4 Scarring Alopecia Awareness Month; and be it further 5 RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be 6 presented to the Scarring Alopecia Foundation as a symbol of 7 our respect and esteem. HR0329 - 3 - LRB103 32680 MST 62389 r