Title: A resolution designating July 15, 2018, as "National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day" and the month of July 2018 as "National Sarcoma Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:

Designates July 15, 2018, as National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day and July 2018 as National Sarcoma Awareness Month. (Sarcoma is a malignant cancer that arises from certain tissues, such as bone or muscle. Leiomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma that arises from smooth muscle tissue, most commonly originating in the uterus, stomach, intestine, or blood vessels.)
Recognizes the challenges faced by sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers working to improve the quality of life of sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and their families.

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

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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.
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