Title: A resolution designating July 15, 2021, as "National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day" and the month of July 2021 as "National Sarcoma Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution designates July 15, 2021, as National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day and July 2021 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.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 298 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 298

Designating July 15, 2021, as ``National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day'' 
  and the month of July 2021 as ``National Sarcoma Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 13, 2021

Ms. Stabenow submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
                     the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating July 15, 2021, as ``National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day'' 
  and the month of July 2021 as ``National Sarcoma Awareness Month''.

Whereas sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that--

    (1) arises in the connective tissue of the body; and

    (2) accounts for approximately 1 percent of all newly diagnosed 
cancers;

Whereas the National Institutes of Health designates sarcoma, which contains 
        approximately 70 different subtypes, as a rare form of cancer;
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 that can metastasize 
        to the bone, spine, brain, and liver;
Whereas the National Institutes of Health classifies LMS, which encompasses at 
        least 4 different LMS subtypes, as a rare disease, accounting for 
        approximately 15 percent of all sarcomas;
Whereas LMS primarily affects adults without regard to gender;
Whereas, with respect to LMS--

    (1) research and clinical trials remain complicated; and

    (2) 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--

    (1) allow medical professionals to improve the quality of care for 
affected patients;

    (2) lead to better clinical outcomes; and

    (3) 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, 2021, as ``National Leiomyosarcoma 
        Awareness Day'';
            (2) designates the month of July 2021 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 United States working to 
        improve the quality of life of sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma 
        patients and their families.
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