PRINTER'S NO. 2102
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
438
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY FARINA, FLYNN, READSHAW, HENNESSEY, KIRKLAND,
DONATUCCI, PICKETT, SCHLEGEL CULVER, BOBACK, BAKER,
J. HARRIS, ROZZI, DiGIROLAMO, LONGIETTI, CALTAGIRONE, KIM,
BISHOP, KINSEY, KILLION, R. BROWN, ROEBUCK, VEREB,
YOUNGBLOOD, V. BROWN, WARD, MURT, DRISCOLL, COHEN, THOMAS,
ROSS, DUSH, SONNEY, O'NEILL, MAJOR, MILLARD, SCHREIBER,
GINGRICH, MARSICO, MAHONEY, McNEILL, GROVE, SCHLOSSBERG,
GOODMAN, WATSON, JOZWIAK, KAVULICH, D. COSTA, O'BRIEN AND
GILLEN, AUGUST 13, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
AUGUST 13, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of September 2015 as "Pulmonary Fibrosis
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Pulmonary fibrosis is a disease marked by
progressive scarring of tissue inside and between air sacs in a
patient's lungs; and
WHEREAS, The development of this scarring causes the air sacs
to stiffen and thicken, which lowers oxygen levels and gradually
interferes with an individual's ability to breathe; and
WHEREAS, In addition to breathlessness, patients typically
experience dry cough, fatigue and chest discomfort; and
WHEREAS, The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis reports that
this disease affects approximately 128,100 people in the United
States and 48,000 new cases are diagnosed annually; and
WHEREAS, The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis also reports
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that the prevalence of pulmonary fibrosis has increased 156%
since 2000; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 40,000 individuals lose their battle
to pulmonary fibrosis each year; and
WHEREAS, Experts point to a number of potential causes,
including genetics, exposure to airborne toxins and radiation
treatment, as well as medications used to treat cancer, heart
disease and bacterial infections; and
WHEREAS, While there is no known cure for pulmonary fibrosis,
a variety of treatment options exist, including supplemental
oxygen, pulmonary rehabilitation, lung transplantation,
medication and exercise; and
WHEREAS, Ambassadors and advocates of this disease have
designated September as "Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month" in
an effort to raise awareness, stress the importance of disease
education, enhance patient support and increase research
funding; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of September 2015 as "Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month"
in Pennsylvania and join in the fight to find a cure for the
disease.
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