Blood Cancer Awareness Month, the official text

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

(A51, R77, H4261)

AN ACT TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ADDING SECTION 53-3-320 SO AS TO DESIGNATE THE MONTH OF SEPTEMBER AS "BLOOD CANCER AWARENESS MONTH."

Whereas, an estimated 1,698,339 people in the United States are living with or in remission from leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes or myeloproliferative neoplasms. Approximately every three minutes, one person in the US is diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma; and

Whereas, leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma are expected to cause the deaths of an estimated 57,260 people in the United States annually. These diseases are expected to account for 9.4 percent of the deaths from cancer, based on the estimated total of 611,720 cancer deaths, and survivors may experience long-term effects of treatment, potentially requiring lifelong follow-up care; and

Whereas, investments in cancer research and control have contributed to significant progress in understanding and treating some blood cancers, increasing survival rates for many blood cancer patients; and

Whereas, continued investment and innovation is necessary to promptly diagnose and effectively and safely treat all blood cancers; nonprofit and voluntary health organizations exist to find cures and ensure access to treatment for blood cancer patients; and

Whereas, the State of South Carolina is committed to the study, prevention, and eradication of blood cancers, and all South Carolinians are encouraged to support patients and their families, as well as efforts to better understand and find cures for these diseases. Now, therefore,

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:

Blood Cancer Awareness Month

SECTION 1. Chapter 3, Title 53 of the S.C. Code is amended by adding:

Section 53-3-320. The month of September of each year is designated as "Blood Cancer Awareness Month."

Time effective

SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon approval by the Governor.

Ratified the 8th day of May, 2025.

Approved the 12th day of May, 2025.

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