2017 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 124
BY SENATOR BISHOP
A RESOLUTION
To recognize May 2017 as Lupus Awareness Month in Louisiana.
WHEREAS, research indicates that nearly two-thirds of the public know little or
nothing about this disease and the designation of May 2017 as Lupus Awareness Month is
intended to bring this disease to the attention of a wider audience; and
WHEREAS, lupus is a chronic autoimmune disease that can damage any part of the
body, often the skin, joints, and organs, yet few are even aware of the existence of such a
condition and its possible symptoms; and
WHEREAS, lupus is more pervasive and severe than most Americans realize and it
has a devastating impact that the public does not generally realize; and
WHEREAS, lupus is difficult to diagnose, a challenge to treat and there currently is
no cure for this debilitating condition; and
WHEREAS, this disease affects people of all nationalities, races, genders, and ages,
which makes informing people of lupus and its affects more important because everyone is
at risk; and
WHEREAS, no two cases of lupus are exactly alike, partly because signs and
symptoms may come on suddenly or develop slowly, may be mild or severe, and may be
temporary or permanent; and
WHEREAS, most people with lupus have mild disease characterized by episodes,
called flares, when signs and symptoms are worse for a time and then improve, or even
disappear completely for a time; and
WHEREAS, the signs and symptoms of lupus depend upon which body systems are
affected by this disease and the most common signs are fatigue and fever; joint pain,
stiffness, and swelling; a butterfly-shaped rash on the face that covers the cheeks and the
bridge of the nose; skin lesions that are sensitive to sun exposure; fingers and toes that turn
white or blue when exposed to cold or stress; shortness of breath; chest pain; dry eyes; and
headaches, confusion, and memory loss; and
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WHEREAS, the World Lupus Foundation has made a global call-to-action on behalf
of the millions of people affected by lupus worldwide to better disseminate information
about this unpredictable, but devastating disease; and
WHEREAS, the ravaging results of lupus, particularly because it is difficult to
diagnose and has numerous symptoms, can destroy the normal lives of both its victims and
their families; and
WHEREAS, the designation of May 2017 Lupus Awareness in Louisiana is an effort
to more widely disseminate information about symptoms, hoping to bring people affected
to seek treatment at the earliest possible moment or to recognize the symptoms in those with
whom they frequently come into contact, in order that they can seek treatment.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby recognize May 2017 as Lupus Awareness Month in Louisiana.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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