PRINTER'S NO. 1019
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
199
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY D. COSTA, KOTIK, KINSEY, DeLUCA, READSHAW,
BENNINGHOFF, V. BROWN, SCHWEYER, DRISCOLL, YOUNGBLOOD, PAYNE,
BAKER, KIM, McNEILL, THOMAS, KIRKLAND, LONGIETTI, BROWNLEE,
BISHOP, FRANKEL, DONATUCCI, CALTAGIRONE, COHEN, DiGIROLAMO,
GRELL, KILLION, DUSH, SONNEY, WHEELAND, MILLARD, MURT,
BOBACK, ACOSTA, MARSICO, ROSS, ROZZI, FARINA, MAJOR, MAHONEY,
GOODMAN, GINGRICH AND GILLEN, MARCH 26, 2015
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
MARCH 26, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating May 5, 2015, as "Ependymoma Awareness Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Ependymoma is a rare type of brain or spinal cord
tumor that begins in the central nervous system and develops
from cells that line the ventricles in the brain or the spinal
cord; and
WHEREAS, The cause of ependymoma is unknown, but it affects
children at higher rates than adults; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Brain Tumor Society,
ependymoma tumors are confined to one area of the brain, can be
located in the ventricles of the brain or blocking them causing
water on the brain and may extend to the spinal cord; and
WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute at the National
Institutes of Health reports that about 1 in 11 childhood brain
tumors are ependymomas; and
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WHEREAS, Ninety percent of ependymomas in children occur in
the brain, while more than 60% of ependymomas present in adults
occur in the spinal cord, with men suffering from this condition
at a higher rate than women; and
WHEREAS, Children who suffer from ependymoma experience the
following symptoms: frequent headaches, seizures, nausea and
vomiting and a loss of balance or trouble walking; and
WHEREAS, Adults who have ependymoma exhibit the following
symptoms: back pain, weakness in the arms or legs, numbness or
tingling in the arms or legs and problems controlling bowel or
bladder functions; and
WHEREAS, Surgery and radiation therapy are common treatments
for ependymoma; and
WHEREAS, The first "Ependymoma Awareness Day" was
commemorated by releasing butterflies during the Collaborative
Ependymoma Research Network (CERN) Foundation investor meeting
held on April 19, 2012, as the butterflies are symbolic of hope
through change; and
WHEREAS, CERN was established in November 2006, when Mark
Gilbert, M.D., Deputy Chairman of Neuro-Oncology at the
University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, developed the
idea of creating an international group to develop new
treatments for ependymoma; and
WHEREAS, The CERN Foundation focuses on five main projects,
including clinical trials, tumor profiling and pathology,
development of therapeutics, tumor stem cell and laboratory
models and patient outcomes; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate May 5,
2015, as "Ependymoma Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania to raise
awareness of the disease, while urging support for patients,
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families and medical professionals in pursuit of a cure.
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