Arkansas HR 1055: TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF STEM CELL DONOR MATCH TESTING AND STEM CELL DONORS IN COMBATTING ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA.

Bill Text

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State of Arkansas 1
94th General Assembly 2
Regular Session, 2023 HR 1055 3
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By: Representative Wardlaw 5
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HOUSE RESOLUTION 7
TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF STEM CELL DONOR MATCH 8
TESTING AND STEM CELL DONORS IN COMBATTING ACUTE 9
LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA. 10
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Subtitle 13
TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF STEM CELL 14
DONOR MATCH TESTING AND STEM CELL DONORS 15
IN COMBATTING ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA. 16
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WHEREAS, in 2022 there were approximately six thousand five hundred 18
(6,500) new cases of Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia in the United States and 19
there were approximately one thousand three hundred (1,300) deaths from Acute 20
Lymphocytic Leukemia; and 21
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WHEREAS, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is a type of cancer of the blood 23
and bone marrow — the spongy tissue inside bones where blood cells are made; 24
and 25
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WHEREAS, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia is the most common type of cancer 27
in children, and treatments result in a good chance for a cure; and 28
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WHEREAS, Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia can also occur in adults, though 30
the chance of a cure is greatly reduced; and 31
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WHEREAS, stem cell donor testing is important in our efforts to cure 33
Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia; and 34
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WHEREAS, in 2010, six-year old Jaylan Weatherspoon of McGehee, Arkansas 36

HR1055

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was diagnosed with Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia; and 1
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WHEREAS, it took only two (2) weeks once Jaylan Weatherspoon was placed 3
on the national donor list for a stem cell donor match to be found; and 4
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WHEREAS, through the generosity of a stem cell donor, Jaylan 6
Weatherspoon received a stem cell transplant; and 7
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WHEREAS, thirteen (13) years later, Jaylan Weatherspoon is cancer-free, 9
is a senior at White Hall High School, owns two (2) businesses, and obtained 10
his real estate license; and 11
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WHEREAS, Jaylan’s success story underlies the importance of stem cell 13
donor match testing and stem cell donations, 14
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NOW THEREFORE, 16
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL 17
ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ARKANSAS: 18
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THAT the House of Representatives recognize the importance of stem cell 20
donor match testing and stem cell donors in combatting Acute Lymphocytic 21
Leukemia. 22
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT upon adoption of this resolution, the House of 24
Representatives encourage the citizens of the State of Arkansas to 25
participate in stem cell donor testing. 26
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