III 

114TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION S. RES. 443 

Designating April 2016 as ‘‘National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month’’. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

APRIL 27, 2016 

Mr. SCHUMER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 

Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Designating April 2016 as ‘‘National Sarcoidosis Awareness 

Month’’. 

Whereas sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect almost any organ of the body, but most commonly 

affects the lungs; 

Whereas sarcoidosis causes the immune system to overreact, 

causing damage to tissue in the form of granulomas, 

which are microscopic clumps of inflammatory cells, and 

interference with the functioning of an organ when too 

many granulomas form in that organ; 

Whereas sarcoidosis is a multisystem disorder, which means 

that symptoms vary depending on which organ is affected, and 1⁄3 of individuals diagnosed with sarcoidosis 

will experience damage to multiple organs; 

Whereas the cause of sarcoidosis is unknown; 


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•SRES 443 IS 

Whereas sarcoidosis is classified as a rare disease, but there 

are an estimated 200,000 individuals in the United 

States who live with sarcoidosis; 

Whereas sarcoidosis affects all demographics, regardless of 

age, race, or gender, but is most common among adults 

between the ages of 20 and 40 and more likely to be severe and chronic in African-Americans; 

Whereas sarcoidosis was the first diagnosis for an overwhelming majority of rescue workers responding to the 

site of the attacks on September 11, 2001; 

Whereas sarcoidosis patients are often left undertreated or 

misdiagnosed due to the diverse presentation of sarcoidosis, the lack of knowledge of sarcoidosis among some 

physicians, and the diagnosis of sarcoidosis through exclusions; 

Whereas the average time it takes to diagnose sarcoidosis is 

7 years, and many sarcoidosis patients struggle to find 

knowledgeable physicians and emotional support resources relating to sarcoidosis; 

Whereas treatment options for sarcoidosis are limited due in 

part to the lack of informative research and funding specific to sarcoidosis; 

Whereas the Sarcoidosis of Long Island and the Foundation 

for Sarcoidosis Research— 

(1) actively advocate for more research to better understand how environmental or occupational exposures 

may increase the risk of sarcoidosis; and 

(2) strive to serve individuals afflicted by sarcoidosis 

by focusing efforts relating to sarcoidosis on public policy, research, funding, patient services, public awareness, 

education, and finding a cure; and 


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•SRES 443 IS 

Whereas April 2016 is appropriate to designate as ‘‘National 

Sarcoidosis Awareness Month’’, with worldwide events— 

(1) to increase public awareness of the need to support individuals with sarcoidosis; 

(2) to raise awareness of the environmental and occupational issues associated with sarcoidosis; and 

(3) to educate medical professionals who care for individuals with sarcoidosis: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of ‘‘National 

3 Sarcoidosis Awareness Month’’; and 

4 (2) designates April 2016 as ‘‘National Sarcoid5 osis Awareness Month’’. 

Æ 


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