SR 146: Lupus Advocacy Day; recognize February 13, 2025

Senate Resolution 146

By: Senators Davenport of the 17th, James of the 28th, Lucas of the 26th, Rhett of the 33rd, Islam Parkes of the 7th and others

A RESOLUTION

Recognizing February 13, 2025, as Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol; and for other purposes.

WHEREAS, on Thursday, February 13, 2025, Senator Gail Davenport and the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America will host Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol; and

WHEREAS, lupus is an acute and chronic (lifelong) autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually every organ system in the body; and

WHEREAS, lupus can affect any part of the body, including the skin, lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain, and thus has the potential to cause seizures, strokes, heart attacks, miscarriages, and organ failure; and

WHEREAS, at least 1.5 million Americans, including approximately 55,000 Georgians, are currently living with lupus; and

WHEREAS, lupus is a major health issue that has a significant impact on the economy of this state and takes an immeasurable physical, financial, and emotional toll on many families in Georgia; and

WHEREAS, the effects of lupus on a family can be devastating in that it is a chronic, lifelong, and life-threatening disease, and despite its prevalence, it remains one of the least recognizable and most misunderstood of all diseases, labeling lupus as the cruel mystery; and

WHEREAS, lupus affects primarily young women in their crucial childbearing years, but it can also affect men, children, and women of all ages; and

WHEREAS, Lupus Nephritis, a form of kidney disease, is a serious, life-threatening complication of lupus. The need for screening in lupus for Lupus Nephritis is crucial for early diagnosis and prompt treatment. Georgia Medicaid has the opportunity to play a meaningful role in addressing the problem of insufficient screening by emphasizing its importance to patients and healthcare providers. By doing so, Georgia Medicaid can help improve patient outcomes and make a positive impact on the lives of those affected by lupus and Lupus Nephritis; and

WHEREAS, the Lupus Foundation of America is the nation's leading nonprofit voluntary health organization dedicated to finding the causes and a cure for lupus while providing support and services to all people affected by lupus; and

WHEREAS, 90 percent of every dollar raised by the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America stays in Georgia to support the chapter's programs; and

WHEREAS, the Lupus Foundation of America provides resources for thousands of patients and families, including support and information, physician referrals, public and professional education, and grassroots advocacy on the state and federal level; and

WHEREAS, in 2014, Governor Nathan Deal established the Georgia Council on Lupus Education and Advocacy to investigate the level of education and awareness of lupus across the state; and

WHEREAS, the council has developed a state-wide action plan and established a multidisciplinary collaborative that will launch lupus initiatives to increase knowledge, educate healthcare providers, consumers, and legislators, and address early diagnosis, access to care, and health disparities in lupus.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE that the members of this body commend the work of the Lupus Foundation of America and other organizations devoted to finding a cure for lupus and supporting the individuals and families whose lives are affected by this autoimmune disease and recognize February 13, 2025, as Lupus Advocacy Day at the state capitol.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is authorized and directed to make an appropriate copy of this resolution available for distribution to the Georgia Chapter of the Lupus Foundation of America.