Declares March of each year as "Blood Clot Awareness Month."

SJR123

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 123

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MARCH 12, 2026

Sponsored by:

Senator� ANGELA V. MCKNIGHT

District 31 (Hudson)

Co-Sponsored by:

Senator Burgess

SYNOPSIS

���� Declares March of each year as �Blood Clot Awareness
Month.�

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution
declaring March of each year as
�Blood Clot Awareness Month.�

Whereas,

A blood clot is a mass of blood that
forms when
platelets
, proteins, and cells in the blood stick together. �The body naturally forms
blood clots after an injury to stop
bleeding

and to help the wound heal
; and

Whereas,

S
ometimes, however, blood clots form
where they should not, the body makes too many blood clots or abnormal blood
clots, or blood clots formed to stop bleeding do not break down following an
injury. �These blood clots
are dangerous and can materialize throughout
the body. They can lead to illness, disability, and even death if not treated
early, and do not discriminate by age, gender, ethnicity, or race; and

Whereas,

As indicated by the public education campaign �Stop the Clot, Spread the Word,�
made possible through the partnership of the National Blood Clot Alliance and
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 900,000 people are
negatively affected by blood clots every year; and

Whereas,

An estimated 60,000 to 100,000 Americans die annually due to blood clots and
many others have long-term complications; and

Whereas,

Blood clots can be further defined as a deep vein thrombosis or a pulmonary
embolism; and

Whereas,

A deep vein thrombosis occurs if a blood clot forms in one of the large veins,
typically in a person's lower leg, thigh, pelvis, or arm.� This type of blood
clot can partly or completely block the flow of blood or blood circulation in
the body.� If a blood clot is not treated, it can travel to the lungs, causing
a blockage known as a pulmonary embolism, which requires immediate medical
attention; and

Whereas,

It is important to recognize the signs and symptoms of a blood clot, with a
deep vein thrombosis often presenting as swelling, pain, tenderness, and
redness or discoloration of the skin at the affected area; and�

Whereas,

By comparison, a pulmonary embolism often is associated with difficulty
breathing, a faster than normal or irregular heartbeat, coughing up blood, and
very low blood pressure, lightheadedness, or fainting; and

Whereas,

The negative consequences of blood clots are preventable, and the best ways to
avoid them include:� knowing the risks factors, recognizing the signs and
symptoms, informing a medical professional of any risk factors, speaking with a
medical professional about blood clots before any surgical procedure, and
seeing a medical professional as soon as possible when symptoms emerge; and

Whereas,

To better inform the public of the risks, signs, and symptoms of blood clots,
the National Blood Clot Alliance annually promotes March as �Blood Clot
Awareness Month;� now, therefore,

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� The month of March shall
be designated at �Blood Clot Awareness Month� in the State of New Jersey in
order join the National Blood Clot Alliance in
raising public awareness of prevention measures and of the signs
and symptoms of blood clots; thereby, helping the residents of this State avoid
the negative health consequences associated with blood clots.

���� 2.��� The Governor is respectfully requested to issue a
proclamation each year calling upon public officials and the citizens of this
State to observe the month of March as
�Blood Clot Awareness Month�
with appropriate activities and programs.

���� 3.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This Joint Resolution declares
March of each year as �Blood Clot Awareness Month� in the State of New Jersey.�

A blood clot is a mass of blood that
forms when
platelets
, proteins, and cells in the blood stick together. �The body naturally forms
blood clots after an injury to stop
bleeding

and to help the wound heal.� S
ometimes,
however, blood clots form where they should not, the body makes too many blood
clots or abnormal blood clots, or blood clots formed to stop bleeding do not
break down. �These blood clots
are dangerous and can form throughout the
body. They can lead to illness, disability, and even death if not treated
early, and do not discriminate by age, gender, ethnicity, or race.

���� As indicated by the public
education campaign �Stop the Clot, Spread the Word,� up to 900,000 people are
negatively affected by blood clots every year.� Moreover, an estimated 60,000
to 100,000 Americans die annually due to blood clots and many others have
long-term complications.

���� The negative consequences of
blood clots are preventable, and the best ways to avoid them include:� knowing
the risks factors, recognizing the signs and symptoms, informing a medical
professional of any risk factors, speaking with a medical professional about
blood clots before any surgical procedure, and seeing a medical professional as
soon as possible when symptoms emerge.� To better inform the public of the
risks, signs, and symptoms of blood clots, this resolution joins the National
Blood Clot Alliance in annually promoting March as �Blood Clot Awareness
Month.�