A resolution designating July 15, 2019, as "National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day" and the month of July 2019 as "National Sarcoma Awareness Month".

III 116TH CONGRESS 1ST SESSION S. RES. 276 Designating July 15, 2019, as ‘‘National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day’’ and the month of July 2019 as ‘‘National Sarcoma Awareness Month’’. IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES JULY 15, 2019 Ms. STABENOW submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary RESOLUTION Designating July 15, 2019, as ‘‘National Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day’’ and the month of July 2019 as ‘‘Na- tional Sarcoma Awareness Month’’. Whereas sarcoma is a rare type of cancer that arises in the connective tissue of the body and accounts for approxi- mately 1 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers; Whereas the National Institutes of Health designates sar- coma as a rare form of cancer, and sarcoma contains ap- proximately 70 different subtypes; Whereas sarcomas are largely resistant to current chemo- therapy agents, immunotherapy agents, and radiation therapies, posing a formidable challenge for researchers and specialists; VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:50 Jul 15, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\SR276.IS SR276 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 2 •SRES 276 IS Whereas sarcoma subtypes largely have not benefitted from immunotherapies because of the complexity of the DNA, genomes, and mutations associated with the many vari- ations 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, gas- trointestinal, 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 gen- der, research and clinical trials remain complicated, and 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 allow medical pro- fessionals to improve the quality of care for affected pa- tients, 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 commu- nities of the United States: Now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Senate— 1 (1) designates July 15, 2019, as ‘‘National 2 Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day’’; 3 VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:50 Jul 15, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6201 E:\BILLS\SR276.IS SR276 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS 3 •SRES 276 IS (2) designates the month of July 2019 as ‘‘Na- 1 tional Sarcoma Awareness Month’’; 2 (3) recognizes the challenges faced by sarcoma 3 and leiomyosarcoma patients; and 4 (4) commends the dedication of organizations, 5 volunteers, researchers, and caregivers across the 6 country working to improve the quality of life of sar- 7 coma and leiomyosarcoma patients and their fami- 8 lies. 9 Æ VerDate Sep 11 2014 20:50 Jul 15, 2019 Jkt 089200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6301 E:\BILLS\SR276.IS SR276 pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS