H.Res. 420 — Introduced in House

IV 115th CONGRESS 1st Session H. RES. 420 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES June 28, 2017Mr. Levin submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Expressing support for the designation of the week of July 9 through July 15, 2017, as Sarcoma Awareness Week and July 15, 2017, as Leiomyosarcoma Awareness Day. Whereas a soft tissue sarcoma is a rare type of cancer, accounting for approximately 1 percent of all newly diagnosed cancers, that arises in the connective tissue of the body; Whereas the National Institutes of Health designates sarcoma as a rare form of cancer, with sarcoma containing approximately 70 different subtypes; 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 have largely not received benefit from immunotherapies due to 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 soft tissue sarcoma derived from smooth muscle cells typically of uterine, gastrointestinal, 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 gender; Whereas research and clinical trials for LMS remain complicated, and the prospects for long-term survival remain poor; 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 professionals to improve the quality of care for affected patients, 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 communities of the United States: Now, therefore, be it That the House of Representatives— (1) supports the designation of Sarcoma Awareness Week; (2) supports the designation of Leio­my­o­sar­co­ma Awareness Day; (3) recognizes the challenges faced by sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients; and (4) commends the dedication of organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers across the country working to improve the quality of life of sarcoma and leiomyosarcoma patients and their families.