[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 561 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

<DOC>






115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 561

Designating July 15, 2018, as ``National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day'' 
  and the month of July 2018 as ``National Sarcoma Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             June 28, 2018

Ms. Stabenow submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating July 15, 2018, as ``National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day'' 
  and the month of July 2018 as ``National Sarcoma Awareness Month''.

Whereas sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that arises in the connective tissue of 
        the body and accounts for approximately 1 percent of all newly diagnosed 
        cancers;
Whereas the National Institutes of Health designates sarcoma as a rare form of 
        cancer, and sarcoma contains approximately 70 different subtypes;
Whereas sarcomas are largely resistant to current chemotherapy agents, 
        immunotherapy agents, and radiation therapies, posing a formidable 
        challenge for researchers and specialists;
Whereas sarcoma subtypes largely have not benefitted from immunotherapies 
        because of the complexity of the DNA, genomes, and mutations associated 
        with the many variations in the sarcoma subtype landscape;
Whereas leiomyosarcoma (referred to in this preamble as ``LMS'') is a malignant, 
        aggressive subtype of sarcoma derived from smooth muscle cells typically 
        of uterine, gastrointestinal, or soft tissue origin, and can metastasize 
        to the bone, spine, brain, and liver;
Whereas the National Institutes of Health classifies LMS as a rare disease, 
        accounting for approximately 15 percent of all sarcomas, and LMS itself 
        encompasses at least 4 different LMS subtypes;
Whereas LMS primarily affects adults without regard to gender, research and 
        clinical trials remain complicated, and survival and longevity remain 
        difficult;
Whereas multidisciplinary care coordination teams, because of their expertise 
        and experience, are critical to the health of sarcoma and LMS patients;
Whereas sarcoma and LMS research will allow medical professionals to improve the 
        quality of care for affected patients, lead to better clinical outcomes, 
        and promote longer survival for patients; and
Whereas increased education and awareness about sarcoma and LMS will contribute 
        to the well-being of the communities of the United States: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates July 15, 2018, as ``National Leiomyosarcoma 
        Awareness Day'';
            (2) designates the month of July 2018 as ``National Sarcoma 
        Awareness Month'';
            (3) recognizes the challenges faced by sarcoma and 
        leiomyosarcoma patients; and
            (4) commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, 
        researchers, and caregivers across the country working to 
        improve the quality of life of sarcoma and Leiomyosarcoma 
        patients and their families.
                                 <all>