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PRINTER'S NO. 3089
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
731
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY BRADFORD, BAKER, BIZZARRO, CALTAGIRONE, CONKLIN,
D. COSTA, DEAN, DiGIROLAMO, DUSH, FREEMAN, GILLEN, HEFFLEY,
HENNESSEY, HILL-EVANS, KINSEY, MARSICO, MILLARD, MILNE, MURT,
NEILSON, READSHAW, RYAN, SCHWEYER, SONNEY AND TOOHIL,
MARCH 9, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 9, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating March 6, 2018, as "Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome
Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Hypoplastic left heart syndrome is a congenital
heart defect that occurs during fetal development and affects
the blood flow through the heart; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 1 in 4,344 babies born in the United
States each year is diagnosed with hypoplastic left heart
syndrome; and
WHEREAS, The syndrome can affect a number of structures on
the left side of the heart, including a left ventricle that is
underdeveloped, a mitral valve that is not formed or is very
small, an aortic valve that is not formed or is very small or
the ascending portion of the aorta may be underdeveloped; and
WHEREAS, In healthy children, the left side of the heart
pumps oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the body and the right
side of the heart pumps oxygen-poor blood from the heart to the
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lungs; and
WHEREAS, When the heart is not able to pump oxygen-rich blood
to the body efficiently, children may have a pounding heart
rate, weak pulse, ashen or bluish skin tone or breathing
problems; and
WHEREAS, Some children may become tired while feeding or
eating and may not consume enough to gain weight; and
WHEREAS, Though there is no cure for hypoplastic left heart
syndrome and children may require lifesaving medication for the
duration of their lives, there is a series of three surgeries
that have saved countless lives; and
WHEREAS, Some children may need a heart transplant to survive
the syndrome and will need to take antirejection medication for
life; and
WHEREAS, Before the 1980s, the syndrome had a mortality rate
of 95% within the first month of life; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to medical advancements, the syndrome has a
58% to 72% survival rate at five years of age; and
WHEREAS, Michael Richard Winchester, born March 26, 2014,
became the spirited poster child and symbolic hallmark for the
creation of Brave Little Hearts which raises awareness and
supportive resources for children with congenital heart disease;
and
WHEREAS, On March 6, 2017, Michael Richard Winchester died
from the effects of hypoplastic left heart syndrome just two
weeks before his third birthday; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate March
6, 2018, as "Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania.
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