RSDS Awareness Month, Support for HConRes 61 and SConRes 24

The American Society for RSD/CRPS, Inc. and the RSD/CRPS family of Survivors is seeking your support in an effort to further persuade the 107th Congress to pass and sign into Federal Law HConRes 61 and SConRes 24 (wording of resolutions below) in support of a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness Month. This will help to ensure proper and better treatment of those that suffer from this terrible disorder/disease, as well as be a "launching pad" for further funding of research for RSD/CRPS. Your help is very much needed. Please take a moment and read the Resolutions and electronically sign your name in support of the Resolutions and the estimated 7 million Americans and their families. Thank You.

Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month. (Introduced in the House)

HConRes 61

107th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. CON. RES. 61
Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

March 13, 2001
Mr. BARRETT (for himself, Mr. KILDEE, Mr. TRAFICANT, Mr. FATTAH, Mr. LARSON of Connecticut, Ms. RIVERS, Mr. REYES, Ms. DELAURO, Mrs. MINK of Hawaii, Mrs. THURMAN, Mr. FILNER, Mr. HILLIARD, Mr. WAXMAN, Mr. MALONEY of Connecticut, Mr. LAHOOD, Mr. UPTON, Mr. JOHNSON of Illinois, Mr. GUTIERREZ, Mr. COYNE, Ms. BERKLEY, and Mr. MCDERMOTT) submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
______________________________________________________

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.

Whereas reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) is an extremely painful progressive disease of the nervous system resulting from a simple trauma, infection, or surgery that can lead to chronic inflammation, spasms, burning pain, stiffness, and discoloration of the skin, muscles, blood vessels, and bones;
Whereas RSD can strike at any time, and currently afflicts an estimated 7 million children and adults, the majority of whom are women;
Whereas RSD is a complex and little-known disease, inhibiting the early diagnosis and treatment needed for recovery and contributing to dismissals of patients' pain and suffering;
Whereas there is no known cure for RSD and treatment involves multiple medications and therapies with costs that can be prohibitive;
Whereas Betsy Herman established the RSDHope Teen Corner in 1998 and she and countless other advocates have worked tirelessly to provide information and support to RSD sufferers and their families and friends and to bring national attention to this crippling disease; and
Whereas each May is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness Month, the goal of which is to educate the public about the nature and effects of this terrible disease: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that--

(1) all Americans should take an active role in combatting reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) by recognizing its symptoms (which often follow an injury or surgery), such as constant burning pain, skin irritation, inflammation, muscle spasms, fatigue, and insomnia;

(2) national and community organizations should be recognized and applauded for their work in promoting awareness about RSD and for providing information and support to its sufferers;

(3) health care providers should continue to increase their efforts to diagnose the disease in its earliest possible stages to increase the likelihood of remission; and

(4) the Federal Government has a responsibility to--

(A) endeavor to raise awareness about the importance of the early detection and proper treatment of RSD;
(B) work to increase research funding so that the causes of, and improved treatment and cure for, RSD may be discovered; and
(C) continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating RSD.

_____________________________

Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month. (Introduced in the Senate)

SCON 24 IS

107th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. CON. RES. 24
Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

March 13, 2001
Mr. LIEBERMAN submitted the following concurrent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
Expressing support for a National Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Awareness Month.

Whereas reflex sympathetic dystrophy (referred to in this resolution as `RSD') is an extremely painful progressive disease of the nervous system resulting from a simple trauma, infection, or surgery that can lead to chronic inflammation, spasms, burning pain, stiffness, and discoloration of the skin, muscles, blood vessels, and bones;
Whereas RSD can strike at any time, and currently afflicts an estimated 7,000,000 children and adults, the majority of whom are women;
Whereas RSD is a complex and little-known disease, inhibiting the early diagnosis and treatment needed for recovery and contributing to dismissals of patients' pain and suffering;
Whereas there is no known cure for RSD and treatment involves multiple medications and therapies with costs that can be prohibitive;
Whereas Betsy Herman established the RSDHope Teen Corner in 1998 and she and countless other advocates have worked tirelessly to provide information and support to RSD sufferers and their families and friends and to bring national attention to this crippling disease; and
Whereas each May is Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Awareness Month, the goal of which is to educate the public about the nature and effects of this terrible disease: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That it is the sense of Congress that--

(1) all Americans should take an active role in combatting reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) by recognizing its symptoms (which often follow an injury or surgery), such as constant burning pain, skin irritation, inflammation, muscle spasms, fatigue, and insomnia;

(2) national and community organizations should be recognized and applauded for their work in promoting awareness about RSD and for providing information and support to its sufferers;

(3) health care providers should continue to increase their efforts to diagnose the disease in its earliest possible stages to increase the likelihood of remission; and

(4) the Federal Government has a responsibility to--

(A) endeavor to raise awareness about the importance of the early detection and proper treatment RSD;
(B) work to increase research funding so that the causes of, and improved treatment and cure for, RSD may be discovered; and
(C) continue to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, health care services for detecting and treating RSD.