SENATE RESOLUTION 31

(By Senators Stollings, Baldwin, Cline, Plymale, Prezioso, Roberts, Smith, and Rucker)

[Introduced February 4, 2020]

Designating February 5, 2020, as Cancer Survivorship Day at the Capitol.

Whereas, West Virginia will experience 12,440 new cases of cancer this year; and

Whereas, In 2019, 4,820 people will die from cancer in West Virginia; and

Whereas, Cancer will cost the United States economy an estimated $216 billion in medical costs and lost productivity; and

Whereas, Lawmakers play a key role in preventing cancer by passing policies to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, and increase healthy eating and active living; and

Whereas, Lawmakers can also advance policies that will increase access to life-saving screenings, improve quality of life with increased access to palliative care, fund research, and expand access to care; and

Whereas, There are 14.5 million cancer survivors alive in the United States and 107,520 cancer survivors in West Virginia because of the efforts of researchers, doctors, volunteers, and lawmakers; and

Whereas, This progress must continue through collaboration between lawmakers and citizens to end cancer as a major health issue; therefore, be it

Resolved by the Senate:

That the Senate hereby designates February 5, 2020, as Cancer Survivorship Day at the Capitol; and, be it

Further Resolved, That the Clerk is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to the American Cancer Society’s Cancer Action Network.