Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Education and Research Program Act

This petition is to demonstrate the support from patients, caretakers, healthcare professionals, and many others, all over the country. We are asking for your help. Please help us move forward in the progress of education and research needed to fix the broken system when it comes to the knowledge, diagnostic protocol, and treatment options available. The Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Education and Research Program Act is being presented in multiple states and we are counting on your support to make it happen for the citizens of our state.

In both the medical community and general society it is agreed that there are approximately 6 million people in the United States with RSD, however from recent medical data this is likely a large underestimate. The loss of production to the economy by people afflicted with this is substantial and it can happen to anyone, at any time, at any age. We are now asking for your support to get Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome into a spotlight in the healthcare community and general population. As we have seen over the past few years great advances have been made in the diagnostic protocol and treatment of breast cancer through research and education programs. According to the National Cancer Society January, 2006 published statistics show that there are approximately 2.5 million women with a history of breast cancer still alive. Most of these individuals were cancer-free at the time of the study. The same advances can be made for the successful treatment of RSD if we can increase research and education.

Although there is not yet a cure for RSD, early diagnosis and treatment is the key to successful remission, and due to the lack of knowledge and research this is not being accomplished. Too little research and education is holding back patients and their families from living LIFE and puts unnecessary and at times impossible challenges before them in their daily lives. The undersigned are asking for help from our State Representatives in FAVOR of the legislative change to promote public awareness of the causes of RSD, the value of early detection and diagnosis, possible treatments for the syndrome, and to promote research through public and private sources, to accurately identify, diagnose and treat this syndrome.

We are now asking you to please consider sponsoring and supporting the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Education and Research Program Act.