Governor’s Signature Brings Awareness to Rare Cancer

COLUMBUS – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed into law this morning House Bill 537, legislation sponsored by State Representative Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison) to designate February 12 as Cholangiocarcinoma (pronounced koh-LAN-jee-oh-KAR-sih-NOH-muh) Awareness Day.

“I’m proud to sponsor this important legislation. With more awareness, we hope to give patients and medical providers the foresight to catch this cancer earlier and express the urgency for greater funding and research efforts,” said Abrams. “I’d like to thank my colleagues in the General Assembly for their constant support of this legislation and those who brought this serious matter to my attention.”

Cholangiocarcinoma is a rare bile duct cancer with no preventative or early detection procedures. With less than 10,000 people diagnosed each year, the cancer is unfortunately often misdiagnosed or not detected until it has advanced to Stage 4, metastatic cancer.

No cure has been identified, leading most patients to turn to experimental clinical trials, and aggressive surgery paired with chemotherapy and radiation. When those methods prove unsuccessful, patients turn to palliative care.

“On behalf of the Cholangiocarcinoma community, thank you for passing House Bill 537, which recognizes February 12th as Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Day,” said Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation CEO Stacie Lindsey. “Ohio is the first state to pass legislation recognizing this increasingly rare cancer diagnosis in the United States. This designation raises awareness for a disease that urgently needs awareness and funding for early detection and novel therapies. Your support gives our efforts at the Foundation a significant boost in recognition for patients who often feel alone in their cancer journeys.”

Having received the Governor’s signature, the bill will go into effect in 90 days.

Reprinted with consent from Rep. Cindy Abrams’ office.

-Cindy Abrams
Ohio State Representative