HR0148 101ST GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0148 LRB101 11277 MST 56634 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease most commonly affecting people of all ages and races worldwide; studies have shown that sarcoidosis affects young adults of both sexes, with more cases in females; the disease occurs at a higher rate among African Americans and people of European descent; and

WHEREAS, Many people with sarcoidosis experience nonspecific symptoms of fever, fatigue, weight loss, night sweats, and an overall feeling of malaise; these symptoms most often result in the disease going untreated; the disease most commonly targets the lungs and lymph nodes but may occur in the eyes, skin, or any other area of the body; it causes the immune system to attack the body's own tissues; and

WHEREAS, Although prevalence rates for sarcoidosis can only be estimated, the estimated prevalence rates in the United States range from one to 40 per 100,000 people; and

WHEREAS, While progress has been made in understanding sarcoidosis, the cause is unknown, and it is likely that there may be more than one cause; there is currently no cure for sarcoidosis; and

WHEREAS, Through increased research and improving treatments, finding a cure for this disease may be possible; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED FIRST GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare April 2019 as "Sarcoidosis Awareness Month" in the State of Illinois to encourage the citizens of our State to gain a greater understanding of the disease and to encourage the funding of research programs to find a cure; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the Foundation For Sarcoidosis Research in Chicago.