| |
| |
|
|
R E S O L U T I O N
|
|
|
WHEREAS, Glioblastoma, also known as glioblastoma |
|
|
multiforme, is a fast-growing and aggressive type of brain cancer |
|
|
that accounts for nearly half of all cancerous brain tumors; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, The tumors begin in glial cells called astrocytes, |
|
|
which support nerve cell function; glioblastoma can develop in the |
|
|
brain or spinal cord and manifest with symptoms such as worsening |
|
|
headaches, nausea, vomiting, and seizures; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, More than 13,000 people in the United States are |
|
|
diagnosed with glioblastoma each year; although the disease can |
|
|
occur at any age, it is more commonly identified in older adults, |
|
|
with 64 years being the median age of diagnosis; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Because of the many challenges associated with |
|
|
treating glioblastoma, the prognosis remains poor; patients |
|
|
survive an average of 12 to 18 months after diagnosis, and the |
|
|
five-year survival rate is just seven percent; treatments, |
|
|
including surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, may help to |
|
|
slow the progression of the disease and alleviate patients' |
|
|
symptoms; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, On December 16, 2019, at 67 years old, Jose Angel |
|
|
Martinez lost his battle with glioblastoma, less than two months |
|
|
after being diagnosed with the disease; a native of El Palmarito, |
|
|
Nuevo León, Mexico, he had immigrated with his family to the United |
|
|
States during his youth and set his sights on living the American |
|
|
dream through hard work and perseverance; for most of his life, he |
|
|
was employed as a foreman in the fields of California's Central |
|
|
Valley, and he was just two weeks away from retiring when he |
|
|
received the devastating news that he had a brain tumor; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, A devoted family man, Mr. Martinez encouraged his |
|
|
four children and nine grandchildren to become motivated and |
|
|
contributing members of society; he was proud to see his son, Jorge |
|
|
Martinez, be appointed to the Texas Physician Assistant Board by |
|
|
Governor Greg Abbott in 2015 and be invited to the White House to |
|
|
discuss policies impacting the lives of Latinos throughout the |
|
|
State of Texas; and |
|
|
WHEREAS, Every year, more than 10,000 Americans like Jose |
|
|
Martinez lose their lives to glioblastoma, but through events such |
|
|
as Glioblastoma Awareness Day, we can help rally support for |
|
|
research needed to develop better treatments and one day find a cure |
|
|
for this deadly disease; now, therefore, be it |
|
|
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
|
|
Legislature hereby recognize February 15, 2023, as Glioblastoma |
|
|
Awareness Day in memory of Jose Angel Martinez and commend all those |
|
|
across the state who are working in behalf of individuals with |
|
|
glioblastoma. |