PRINTER'S NO. 3009
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
633
Session of
2019
INTRODUCED BY PUSKARIC, MILLARD, KORTZ, DiGIROLAMO, SONNEY,
SCHMITT, LONGIETTI, BIZZARRO, BERNSTINE, MURT, BURNS, PYLE,
KINSEY, RYAN, CALTAGIRONE, YOUNGBLOOD, PICKETT, READSHAW,
HILL-EVANS, DEASY, JOZWIAK AND NEILSON, DECEMBER 10, 2019
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DECEMBER 10, 2019
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing the month of March 2020 as "Amyloidosis Awareness
Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Amyloidosis is a rare disease of which there are
several types, one of which is similar to a blood cancer and
another that is commonly inherited; and
WHEREAS, This combination of all types of amyloidosis affects
approximately 10,000 people in the United States, 500 of whom
live in Pennsylvania; and
WHEREAS, An abnormal protein either produced in the bone
marrow or liver travels through the bloodstream, depositing as
amyloid in various organs, primarily the heart, nervous system,
intestines and kidneys, causing the organs to fail over time;
and
WHEREAS, The medial length of survival for an amyloidosis
patient who does not receive treatment is less than 3 years; and
WHEREAS, Many patients go undiagnosed every year and special
initiatives, including this resolution, can raise public
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awareness and save lives; and
WHEREAS, There have been advances in the treatment of
amyloidosis that have extended life expectancy, but currently,
there are no drugs approved for the destruction of amyloids; and
WHEREAS, The early diagnosis of amyloidosis in conjunction
with prompt treatments not only improves the quality of life,
but extends life expectancy; and
WHEREAS, There are a limited number of amyloidosis treatment
centers in Pennsylvania that specialize in the diagnosis and
treatment of amyloidosis patients, but fortunately, we have four
world class centers, University of Pennsylvania, Allegheny
General Hospital, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center -
Hillman Cancer Center and University of Pittsburgh Medical
Center - Heart and Vascular Institute; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the
month of March 2020 as "Amyloidosis Awareness Month" in
Pennsylvania.
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