2023 -- H 6035
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S TATE OF RHODE IS LAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2023
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H O U S E R E S O L U T I O N
PROCLAIMING MARCH OF 2023, AS "BLEEDING DISORDERS AWARENESS M ONTH"
IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
Introduced By: Representatives Vella-Wilkinson, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Craven,
Finkelman, Noret, Corvese, Bennett, Ajello, and Tanzi
Date Introduced: March 02, 2023
Referred To: House read and passed
WHEREAS, In March of 2016, the United States Department of Health and Human 1
Services approved the inclusion of Bleeding Disorders Month on its National Observances 2
Calendar. Subsequently, March of each year is now nationally recognized as "Bleeding Disorders 3
Awareness Month" in the United States; and 4
WHEREAS, The designation formalized and expanded upon the original recognition of 5
March, 1986, as "Hemophilia Awareness Month" by President Ronald Reagan; and 6
WHEREAS, These bleeding disorders, which share a common factor in the body's 7
inability to form a proper blood clot, are characterized by extended bleeding and can lead to 8
significant morbidity and fatality if not treated effectively; and 9
WHEREAS, Many individuals with hemophilia became infected with HIV and Hepatitis 10
C in the 1980s due to the contamination of the blood supply and blood products; and 11
WHEREAS, Awareness during this month will generate greater understanding not only 12
for hemophilia but for all inheritable bleeding disorders, including von Willebrand Disease, 13
which alone impacts an estimated 1.4 million Americans; with an estimated 60,000 individuals 14
suffering from hemophilia and other inheritable bleeding disorders; and 15
WHEREAS, Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month will also foster a greater sense of 16
community and shared purpose among individuals with all inheritable bleeding disorders and will 17
elevate awareness of and engagement in the inheritable bleeding disorders journey beyond our 18
community to the general public, enabling the prevention of illness, unnecessary procedures, and 19
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disability; now, therefore be it 1
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 2
proclaims March of 2023, as "Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode 3
Island; and be it further 4
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 5
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to Richard Pezzillo, Executive Director, New 6
England Hemophilia Association. 7
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