SR266: SR266 Stafford, Furquan R.; commend

25 LC 60 0102 Senate Resolution 266 By: Senator James of the 28th A RESOLUTION Encouraging the development of minority owned plasma collection centers and commending1 Furquan R. Stafford and other community activists; and for other purposes.2 WHEREAS, for many years, countless individuals have suffered from medical deficiencies3 which could be treated or controlled by therapies derived from human plasma; and4 WHEREAS, the United States has established a substantial networ k of federally licensed5 plasma collection centers, and reports have indicated that over 493 million plasma donations6 were recorded across such centers between 2007 and 2021; and7 WHEREAS, reports have further indicated that 33 million liters of plasma are used8 worldwide every year to manufacture essential plasma protein therapies critical for treating9 a wide array of medical conditions, including, but not limited to, blood clotting disorders,10 sickle cell anemia, immune deficiencies, neurological disorders, hemophilia, and Alzheimer's11 disease; and12 WHEREAS, demand for these plasma protein therapies has escalated dramatically over the13 past two decades, driven by advances in the diagnosis of rare diseases, elevated standards of14 care, and enhanced patient access to innovative treatments; and15 S. R. 266 - 1 - 25 LC 60 0102 WHEREAS, the global market for human plasma sales reached a rem arkable estimate of16 approximately $30 billion in 2022, marking significant growth from just over $5 billion in17 2000; and18 WHEREAS, statistics have shown that over 86 percent of plasma d onations in the United19 States originate from African American donors; and20 WHEREAS, no plasma collection centers in the United States are owned by African21 Americans; and22 WHEREAS, several community activists have diligently and conscientiously advocated to23 expand development of minority owned plasma collection centers, including, but not limited24 to, Furquan R. Stafford who has been advocating on this issue for over ten years.25 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body26 encourage the United States plasma collection industry to open up its markets and allow27 equal opportunity for minorities to participate in the industry by executing plasma collection28 agreements with them.29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this body recognize and commend the30 significant contributions made by Furquan R. Stafford and other community activists in31 expanding racial and ethnic diversity in the ownership and oper ation of plasma collection32 centers.33 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed34 to make appropriate copies of this resolution available for dis tribution to members of the35 public and press.36 S. R. 266 - 2 -