SENATE RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING AND DESIGNATING MAY 5-11, 2025, TO BE "LUNG CANCER ACTION WEEK" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Pete Appollonio and 9 co-sponsors

Rhode Island designates May 5-11, 2025 as Lung Cancer Action Week to boost awareness, early detection, and action in support of the LUNG FORCE initiative.

05/07/2025 Senate read and passed

Summary of Senate Resolution SR 1035 – Lung Cancer Action Week (Rhode Island)

Overview
- SR 1035 is a Rhode Island Senate Resolution, not a bill to create or amend law. It designates a ceremonial week, “Lung Cancer Action Week,” and encourages public awareness and action.
- The resolution proclaims the second week in May 2025 (May 5–11, 2025) as Lung Cancer Action Week in Rhode Island. It emphasizes advocacy, early detection, and continued support for research.

Purpose and Intent
- To recognize and support the national LUNG FORCE initiative led by the American Lung Association, which aims to reduce lung cancer diagnoses and improve outcomes for those living with the disease.
- To promote awareness of risk factors, the importance of screening, and actions Rhode Islanders can take to prevent and detect lung cancer early.

Key Provisions
- Proclamation: The Rhode Island Senate proclaims the second week in May 2025 as “Lung Cancer Action Week.”
- Education and Action Encouraged: The Senate urges Rhode Islanders to learn about lung cancer risk factors, early detection, and to take action to improve outcomes.
- Official Transmission: The Secretary of State is authorized to transmit a certified copy of the resolution to the American Lung Association.
- Contextual Justification: The resolution references the American Lung Association’s LUNG FORCE initiative (working since 2014 to reduce deaths and improve survival) and notes that lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths, with screening and advocacy capable of saving lives.

Affects and Impacts
- Primary Audience: Rhode Island residents, particularly high-risk individuals who might benefit from lung cancer screening and early detection efforts.
- Governmental/Administrative: The Secretary of State is tasked with delivering the official copy of the resolution to the American Lung Association.
- No fiscal or regulatory changes: As a resolution, it does not create new laws, funding, or regulatory requirements.

Procedural History
- Introduced: May 7, 2025.
- Action: Recommended for Immediate Consideration and subsequently read and passed by the Senate on May 7, 2025.
- Status: As of 05/07/2025, the Senate has read and passed the resolution.

Sponsors
- Primary sponsors: Senators Gu, McKenney, Appollonio, Sosnowski, Raptakis, DiPalma, Felag, Murray, Rogers, Paolino.

Notes for readers
- This resolution is ceremonial and commemorative, aiming to elevate awareness, education, and advocacy around lung cancer in Rhode Island. It does not appropriate funds or change healthcare policy, but it signals official state support for preventive efforts and community engagement facilitated by the American Lung Association and the LUNG FORCE initiative.