BySenators Lovick, Das, Dhingra, Hasegawa, Keiser, King, Kuderer, Lovelett, Nobles, Pedersen, Rolfes, Saldaña, Sefzik, Short, Stanford, Trudeau, Wagoner, Warnick, Wellman, C. Wilson, Brown, Padden, Robinson, and L. Wilson

WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that affects red blood cells. People with sickle cell disease have red blood cells that contain an abnormal type of hemoglobin; and

WHEREAS, Normal red blood cells contain hemoglobin A. Hemoglobin S and hemoglobin C are abnormal types of hemoglobin; and

WHEREAS, Red blood cells containing mostly hemoglobin S do not live as long as normal red blood cells and have difficulty passing through the body's small vessels. These hemoglobin S red blood cells can block small blood vessels, resulting in tissue damage due to less blood reaching that portion of the body; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell trait is an inherited condition in which both hemoglobin A and S are produced in the red blood cells, always more A than S. Sickle cell trait is not a type of sickle cell disease; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell conditions are inherited from parents in much the same way as blood type, hair color and texture, eye color, and other physical traits. The types of hemoglobin a person makes in their red blood cells depends upon what hemoglobin genes the person inherits from his or her parents; and

WHEREAS, Since sickle cell conditions are inherited from parents, it is important for people to be aware if they are a carrier before having children; and

WHEREAS, More than 90,000 people in the United States have sickle cell disease, affecting mostly persons of African heritage according to the National Institute of Health. Currently, there is no universal cure for sickle cell disease; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease results in a shortened life expectancy, with the average life expectancy being 42 years for men and 48 years for women; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell disorders occur in about 1 in every 10,000 births in Washington State; and

WHEREAS, Studies show that children, adolescents, and young adults with sickle cell disease are less likely to graduate from high school or seek higher education; and

WHEREAS, Health maintenance for persons with sickle cell disease starts with early diagnosis, preferably as a newborn; and

WHEREAS, Treatment of complications often includes antibiotics, pain management, intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and surgery in combination with psychosocial support; and

WHEREAS, There are promising new treatments being developed which can prevent red blood cells from sickling without causing harm to other parts of the body, reduce the frequency of severe pain and acute chest syndrome, reduce the need for blood transfusions, and provide options to eliminate iron overload caused by repeated blood transfusions; and

WHEREAS, Public awareness about sickle cell trait and disease and the numerous programs and screenings available is vital to reduce the pervasiveness of sickle cell conditions;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the members of the Washington State Senate, hereby join the Metropolitan Seattle Sickle Cell Task Force in celebrating "Sickle Cell Awareness Week," which is the third week of September; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate encourage and urge all citizens of this state to participate in activities during Sickle Cell Awareness Week to address the pervasiveness of sickle cell trait and disease and the need to increase public awareness of the available programs and screenings.