PRINTER'S NO. 3620
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
958
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY MURT, BIZZARRO, BURNS, CALTAGIRONE, CHARLTON,
SCHLEGEL CULVER, DeLUCA, DiGIROLAMO, DONATUCCI, DRISCOLL,
DUSH, HENNESSEY, HILL-EVANS, KINSEY, LONGIETTI, MILLARD,
NEILSON, M. QUINN, RYAN, SONNEY, THOMAS, TOOHIL AND
YOUNGBLOOD, JUNE 6, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 6, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of August 2018 as "Spinal Muscular Atrophy
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetically
inherited disease affecting the part of the nervous system that
controls voluntary muscle movement; and
WHEREAS, SMA is the leading genetic cause of death of infants
and toddlers, affecting one in every 6,000 to 10,000 people in
the United States; and
WHEREAS, One in every 50 Americans is a genetic carrier of
the disease; and
WHEREAS, Among autosomal recessive disorders, SMA is the most
common fatal disease and is second in birth prevalence only to
cystic fibrosis; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms in the mildest cases of SMA include muscle
weakness, muscle twitching and lack of muscle tone; and
WHEREAS, In the most severe cases, this rare disorder
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interferes with one's ability to sit unsupported and causes
breathing and swallowing difficulties; and
WHEREAS, Early detection is vital to managing symptoms and
preventing SMA from progressing and interfering with one's basic
life functions; and
WHEREAS, The United States Food and Drug Administration
recently approved the first treatment for children and adults
with SMA; and
WHEREAS, Improving the length and quality of life for
individuals with SMA starts with awareness; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
month of August 2018 as "Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
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