PRINTER'S NO. 4103
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
934
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY MURT, KORTZ, DONATUCCI, HENNESSEY, LONGIETTI,
BURNS, ROZZI, SONNEY, SCHLEGEL CULVER, SCHMITT, SANCHEZ,
RYAN, READSHAW, NEILSON, FREEMAN, MILLARD, SCHLOSSBERG,
MALAGARI AND GAINEY, JULY 8, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JULY 8, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of June 2020 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 1 in every 6,000 to 10,000 children 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
interferes with one's ability to sit unsupported and causes
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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, In 2016, the United States Food and Drug
Administration approved the first drug 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 June 2020 as "Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month"
in Pennsylvania.
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