SLS 11RS-522 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 2
Regular Session, 2011
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 15
BY SENATOR MOUNT AND REPRESENTATI VE KATZ
LEGIS POWERS/FUNCTIONS. Designates May 2011 as Lupus Awareness Month.
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To designate May 2011 as Lupus Awareness Month in the state of Louisiana.2
WHEREAS, lupus is an acute, chronic, and lifelong autoimmune disease in which3
the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually4
every organ system in the body; and5
WHEREAS, lupus can affect any part of the body, including the skin, lungs, heart,6
kidneys, and brain, with no organ spared, and can cause seizures, strokes, heart attacks,7
miscarriages, and organ failure; and8
WHEREAS, researchers estimate that five million people worldwide have been9
diagnosed with lupus or related diseases, with about one hundred thousand new diagnoses10
each year; and11
WHEREAS, the Lupus Foundation of America, Inc., estimates that more than one12
and a half million Americans live with some form of lupus, including an estimated twenty-13
one thousand in Louisiana; and14
WHEREAS, lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age, when they are fifteen15
to forty-four years of age, affecting all aspects of their lives, with African Americans,16
Hispanics/Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans two to three times more likely to develop17
lupus, a disparity that remains unexplained; and18 SCR NO. 15
SLS 11RS-522 ORIGINAL
Page 2 of 2
WHEREAS, lupus is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to1
symptoms of other illnesses, meaning that more than one-half of all people with lupus wait2
four or more years and visit three or more doctors before they are correctly diagnosed; and3
WHEREAS, early diagnosis and proper treatment are critical to improving the4
quality of life and survival rate of those living with lupus; and5
WHEREAS, major gaps exist in the understanding of the causes and consequences6
of lupus, and increased public awareness, education, and research are key to winning the7
battle against the disease.8
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby9
designate May 2011 as Lupus Awareness Month in the state of Louisiana.10
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the11
Lupus Foundation of America, Inc.12
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Greg Waddell.
DIGEST
Mount SCR No. 15
Designates May 2011 as Lupus Awareness Month.