WHEREAS, Scleroderma is a chronic, disabling autoimmune disease in which the body’s soft tissues suffer from an overproduction of collagen; and

WHEREAS, Scleroderma can affect many parts of the body including skin, internal organs, and blood vessels; and

WHEREAS, Scleroderma sufferers often experience damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and the gastrointestinal system; and

WHEREAS, Many sufferers develop pulmonary hypertension as a result of constriction of the blood vessels; and

WHEREAS, African Americans are more susceptible to systemic scleroderma; and

WHEREAS, Researchers have yet to identify the exact cause or causes of scleroderma; and

WHEREAS, Researchers have found links between scleroderma and rheumatic disease; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 300,000 Americans suffer from scleroderma, and 80 percent of those are women; and

WHEREAS, The estimated total economic impact of scleroderma treatment is estimated to be in excess of $1.5 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, The morbidity cost associated with scleroderma is an estimated $819,000,000 annually; and

WHEREAS, The direct cost of treatment for scleroderma is estimated to be $462,000,000 annually; and

WHEREAS, There is a significant need for further research focusing on the epidemiology of scleroderma to increase understanding of the causes of the disease and its treatment; and

WHEREAS, The United States Congress has recognized the need to raise awareness of the impact of scleroderma on public health and has designated a National Scleroderma Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, California should also designate a month as Scleroderma Awareness Month to help educate the public about autoimmune diseases and the need for increased research, funding, and effective treatments for those diseases; and

WHEREAS, The designation of such a month would recognize the efforts of health care providers, patients, and scleroderma advocacy organizations to increase awareness of scleroderma and of the need for increased research on scleroderma; and

WHEREAS, June 2008 would be an appropriate month to designate as Scleroderma Awareness Month; now, therefore, be it