A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT designating the month of may of each year as lupus awareness month.
Whereas, lupus is an acute and chronic autoimmune disease in which the immune system is unbalanced, causing inflammation and tissue damage to virtually every organ system in the body, including the skin, lungs, heart, kidneys, and brain; and
Whereas, lupus can cause seizures, strokes, heart attacks, miscarriages, organ failures, and even death; and
Whereas, lupus strikes mostly women of childbearing age, and African-Americans, Hispanics, Latinos, Asians, and Native Americans are two to three times more likely to develop lupus; and
Whereas, lupus can be particularly difficult to diagnose because its symptoms mimic those of many other illnesses and major gaps exist in understanding the causes and consequences of lupus; and
Whereas, there have been no new drugs approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration specifically for lupus in 52 years, and current treatments for the disease can have damaging side effects; and
Whereas, more than half of all people with lupus suffer four or more years and require three or more doctors during that time before receiving an accurate diagnosis of the disease; and
Whereas, approximately 35,000 to 40,000 North Carolinians and 1.5 million Americans are living with this chronic illness for which there is no cure; and
Whereas, lupus costs the nation $31.4 billion annually; and
Whereas, increased public awareness, education, and research are key to winning the battle against lupus; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  Chapter 103 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new section to read:
"§ 103‑12.  Lupus Awareness Month.
The month of May of each year is designated as Lupus Awareness Month in North Carolina."
SECTION 2.  This act is effective when it becomes law.