PRINTER'S NO. 1639

THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA

HOUSE RESOLUTION

No.

311

Session of

2017

INTRODUCED BY KULIK, DiGIROLAMO, HENNESSEY, MURT, LONGIETTI,

MILLARD, HELM, FREEMAN, KINSEY, TOOHIL, DUSH, SONNEY, WARD,

SOLOMON, BIZZARRO, O'NEILL, READSHAW, NEILSON, CALTAGIRONE,

Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.

WHEREAS, Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune

neuromuscular disease characterized by varying degrees of

weakness of the skeletal muscles of the body; and

WHEREAS, MG first appeared in medical reports in 1672, but

did not earn its name, myasthenia gravis, which literally means

grave muscular weakness, until sometime during the 1890s; and

WHEREAS, MG is caused by a defect in the transmission of

nerve impulses to muscles, whereby antibodies effectively block,

alter or destroy the nerve cell receptors that generate muscle

estimated 20 out of every 100,000 people; and

WHEREAS, MG is indiscriminate in its affliction, as it can

occur in all ethnic groups and genders, but primarily affects

young adult women under 40 years of age and older men over 70

years of age; and

WHEREAS, It is important to note that MG is not hereditary,

nor is it contagious, and in most cases, its symptoms

manifesting in the form of weakness of the eye muscles,

difficulty in swallowing, slurred or impaired speech, shortness

of breath and weakness in the arms, hands, fingers, legs or

WHEREAS, MG can generally be treated and controlled with the

use of medications, therapies or surgical procedures that

include anticholinesterase agents, immunosuppressive drugs,

plasmapheresis or a thymectomy, which is the removal of the

thymus gland; and

WHEREAS, The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and

Stroke maintains the primary responsibility of conducting and

supporting research on brain and nervous system disorders,

including MG; and

WHEREAS, Organizations such as the Myasthenia Gravis

MG; and

WHEREAS, The MGFA's research committee has been instrumental

in supporting research that aims to improve the lives of

patients with MG by creating a comprehensive MG Patient Registry

and designating several broad research priorities, which include

biomarkers, mechanisms of disease, therapeutic strategies and

improving patient outcomes; and

WHEREAS, The MGAWP's treatment and advocacy center has played

an integral role in providing first-rate medical care and social

and emotional support to Pennsylvanians living with MG; and

the general public and those living with MG to make effective

use of their social media platforms to spread greater awareness

about MG, engage close friends, relatives and others to attend

an MG screening, contribute financially to organizations

supporting the fight against MG and create awareness about MG in

their workplaces, organizations, schools and social circles; and

WHEREAS, The purpose of this resolution is to further the

laudable and worthwhile mission of MG advocates across the

nation to advance knowledge and awareness of a disorder

affecting the lives of many Pennsylvanians and Americans;

RESOLVED, That all Pennsylvanians be encouraged to learn more

about myasthenia gravis and explore ways that we can unite for a

cure.