House Resolution 17

A RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE OBSERVANCE OF LYMPHEDEMA D-DAY ON MARCH 6, 2004, IN MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, lymphedema is an accumulation of lymphatic fluid that causes swelling in the arms, legs, or other areas of the body and affects both men and women; and

WHEREAS, the swelling caused by lymphedema can lead to severe infection or loss of the use of limbs, and patients suffering from lymphedema must endure physical discomfort and disfigurement and cope with the distress caused by these symptoms; and

WHEREAS, the single largest group of people who get lymphedema are cancer patients, including breast, prostate, gynecological, head, neck, lung, sarcoma and melanoma patients; and

WHEREAS, recent studies have indicated that twenty percent of breast cancer patients will get lymphedema after surgery and radiation; and

WHEREAS, according to the National Cancer Institute, there are a reported 8.5 million Americans living after a diagnosis of cancer, of which about two million are breast cancer survivors; and

WHEREAS, no drug or effective surgical treatment for lymphedema currently exists; and

WHEREAS, research in all areas of lymphedema has been notably limited; and

WHEREAS, lymphedema, which has no cure and can occur anytime, has severe financial, physical and psychological impacts on patients; and

WHEREAS, each year on March 6th, the National Lymphedema Network sponsors Lymphedema D-Day to honor patients and to raise awareness of the treatment and severity of this condition:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we commemorate March 6, 2004, and each succeeding year on this date, as Lymphedema D-Day in Mississippi.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.