UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2038 Page 1 of 2 XXXX 2/13/2024 10:45 AM Jacketed A RESOLUTION designating March 2024 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 1 in Kentucky. 2 WHEREAS, Dr. Whitney Jones, a Louisville gastroenterologist, started the Colon 3 Cancer Prevention Project in 2003 after diagnosing several patients with colorectal 4 cancer; and 5 WHEREAS, for over 20 years the project has worked to end preventable colorectal 6 cancer deaths and suffering in Kentucky by increasing effective screenings; and 7 WHEREAS, each year an average of 650 fewer Kentuckians are diagnosed with 8 colorectal cancer and 275 fewer Kentuckians die from colorectal cancer due to these 9 efforts; and 10 WHEREAS, Dr. Jones and the Colon Cancer Prevention Project have saved 11 numerous lives in Kentucky through advocacy, education, health system improvement, 12 and survivor support; and 13 WHEREAS, the General Assembly and citizens of Kentucky are immensely 14 grateful for the dedicated efforts and commitment of the Colon Cancer Prevention 15 Project; and 16 WHEREAS, colorectal cancer remains the second leading cause of cancer related 17 deaths in men and women in Kentucky, and Kentucky currently ranks among the highest 18 in the nation in colorectal cancer mortality; and 19 WHEREAS, by 2030, colorectal cancer is projected to be the leading cause of 20 cancer deaths in 20 to 49 year olds; and 21 WHEREAS, Kentucky continues to have the highest incidence of colorectal cancer 22 in the United States; and 23 WHEREAS, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month is observed in March to highlight 24 the importance of screening for colorectal cancer, as well as to promote healthy lifestyle 25 habits that can decrease a person's risk of developing colorectal cancer; 26 NOW, THEREFORE, 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS BR 2038 Page 2 of 2 XXXX 2/13/2024 10:45 AM Jacketed Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the General Assembly of the 1 Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2 Section 1. The House of Representatives hereby honors Dr. Whitney Jones and 3 the exceptional work of the Colon Cancer Prevention Project in saving lives in Kentucky 4 and encourages continued support for efforts to eliminate deaths from colorectal cancer. 5 Section 2. The House of Representatives hereby designates March 2024 as 6 Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in Kentucky. 7 Section 3. The Clerk of the House of Representatives is directed to transmit a 8 copy of this Resolution to Representative Amy Neighbors. 9