IV 

114TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 174 

Expressing support for designation of March as ‘‘National Multiple Myeloma 

Awareness Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 25, 2015 

Mr. HIGGINS (for himself, Ms. NORTON, and Mr. HASTINGS) submitted the 

following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Oversight 

and Government Reform 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for designation of March as ‘‘National 

Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month’’. 

Whereas multiple myeloma (or myeloma) is a cancer of plasma cells in the bone marrow and is called ‘‘multiple’’ because it can occur at various sites in the body; 

Whereas multiple myeloma causes a variety of adverse health 

effects, including a weakened immune system, anemia, 

kidney damage, and bone deterioration; 

Whereas multiple myeloma is the second most common blood 

cancer worldwide; 

Whereas multiple myeloma currently affects more than 

100,000 people in the United States, with about 22,350 

new cases diagnosed and 10,710 deaths from the disease 


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•HRES 174 IH 

in 2013 according to the National Cancer Institute’s Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program; 

Whereas once predominately found among those 65 and over, 

where it continues to be most frequently diagnosed, multiple myeloma is increasingly being identified in younger 

age individuals including those in their 30s, 40s, and 50s; 

Whereas multiple myeloma is almost twice as likely to occur 

among African-Americans and is one of the leading 

causes of cancer deaths among African-Americans, with 

scientific understanding of the disparity remaining unknown; 

Whereas the cause of multiple myeloma is not known, with 

robust research being performed in the United States and 

internationally into potential genetic, environmental, and 

other risk factors; 

Whereas recent years have seen the development of new 

drugs and treatments that have improved life 

expectancies and significantly enhanced the quality of life 

for patients; 

Whereas additional new drugs and therapies are in the research phase, with patient enrollment in clinical trials 

playing an important role in determining safe and effective treatments; 

Whereas understanding and treatment of multiple myeloma 

has been greatly furthered by the role of advocacy initiatives promoting awareness, education, research, peer review, and collaboration and such efforts are to be highly 

commended; 

Whereas greater awareness of multiple myeloma on the part 

of clinicians and the general public can lead to earlier deVerDate Sep 11 2014 00:46 Mar 26, 2015 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR174.IH HR174

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•HRES 174 IH 

tection and treatment, improving health outcomes and 

bringing comfort to patients and their families; and 

Whereas March would be an appropriate month to designate 

as ‘‘National Multiple Myeloma Awareness Month’’: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports 

2 the designation of ‘‘National Multiple Myeloma Awareness 

3 Month’’ to increase public knowledge of this disease and 

4 advance the vision of finding a cure for multiple myeloma. 

Æ 


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