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WHEREAS, October is Liver Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, there are more than 100 different liver diseases that often have no symptoms until severe stages of disease than can develop over decades; and
WHEREAS, an estimated 30 million Americans affected by liver disease experience a tremendous impact on their lives and much is needed in education, surveillance, research, and medical and case management to move forward in the prevention, treatment and cure of all liver disease; and
WHEREAS, more than 18,000 individuals await a liver transplant in the United States each year and 6,000 receive life-saving liver transplants; and
WHEREAS, The American Liver Foundation was started in 1976 to facilitate, advocate and promote education, support and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease and has been a crucial support structure for thousands of Americans each year; and,
WHEREAS, The American Liver Foundation continues to raise awareness as many Americans do not know the importance of maintain optimal liver health through routine health visits, vaccination and healthy lifestyle choices or that diagnosis of liver disease in its early stages can be managed; and
WHEREAS, The American Liver Foundation launched the observance of Liver Awareness Month helps to increase awareness of liver wellness and liver diseases/disorders, in order to educate the public on the importance of prevention, early detection and treatment of these diseases;
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NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Council of the City of Pittsburgh does hereby laud The American Liver Foundation for its essential efforts and does hereby declare the Month of October, 2009, to be "LIVER AWARENESS MONTH" in the City of Pittsburgh.