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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | May 25, 2017 02:55 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Matthew E. Baker |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Week |
In the near future, I plan to introduce a resolution designating the week of September 10 to September 16, 2017 as Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research and Awareness Week in Pennsylvania. Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a debilitating and generally fatal disease marked by progressive scarring of the lungs, causing an irreversible loss of the lung tissue's ability to transport oxygen. IPF progresses quickly, often causing disability or death within three to five years. While IPF is five times more common than cystic fibrosis and Lou Gehrig's Disease (or ALS), the disease is often misdiagnosed or under diagnosed. IPF remains virtually unknown and receives a fraction of the research funding. More than 132,000 United States citizens have idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, and more than 50,000 new cases are diagnosed each year, with approximately 7,000 Pennsylvanians suffering from this disease. At the same time, Pennsylvania has become a leader in research and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with more than 15% of all lung transplants in the United States performed in Pennsylvania hospitals. Please join me and cosponsor this resolution. |
Introduced as HR402