Title: Expressing support for the designation of the week of July 9 through July 15, 2017, as "Sarcoma Awareness Week" and July 15, 2017, as "Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Expresses support for the designation of Sarcoma Awareness Week and Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day. (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]
[H. Res. 420 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 420

 Expressing support for the designation of the week of July 9 through 
  July 15, 2017, as ``Sarcoma Awareness Week'' and July 15, 2017, as 
                   ``Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 28, 2017

Mr. Levin submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                    Committee on Energy and Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for the designation of the week of July 9 through 
  July 15, 2017, as ``Sarcoma Awareness Week'' and July 15, 2017, as 
                   ``Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day''.

Whereas a soft tissue sarcoma is a rare type of cancer, accounting for 
        approximately 1 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers, that arises in 
        the connective tissue of the body;
Whereas the National Institutes of Health designates sarcoma as a rare form of 
        cancer, with sarcoma containing 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 have largely not received benefit from immunotherapies 
        due to 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 soft tissue 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;
Whereas research and clinical trials for LMS remain complicated, and the 
        prospects for long-term survival remain poor;
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 House of Representatives--
            (1) supports the designation of ``Sarcoma Awareness Week'';
            (2) supports the designation of ``Leiomyosarcoma Awareness 
        Day'';
            (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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