Title: Expressing support for the designation of July 15, 2018, as "National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day" and the designation of July 2018, as "National Sarcoma Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
Expresses support for the designation of National Sarcoma Awareness Week and National 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. 973 Introduced in House (IH)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 973

Expressing support for the designation of July 15, 2018, as ``National 
  Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day'' and the designation of July 2018, as 
                 ``National Sarcoma Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                             June 28, 2018

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the designation of July 15, 2018, as ``National 
  Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day'' and the designation of July 2018, as 
                 ``National Sarcoma Awareness Month''.

Whereas a 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 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 10 to 20 percent of soft tissue 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 ``National Sarcoma 
        Awareness Month'';
            (2) supports the designation of ``National 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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