PRINTER'S NO. 3994
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
910
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY RAPP, MILLARD, RYAN, KORTZ, SONNEY, SCHMITT,
LONGIETTI, VITALI, READSHAW, BURNS, NEILSON, WARREN AND
BROWN, JUNE 23, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JUNE 23, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Designating the week of September 6 through 12, 2020, as
"Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research and Awareness Week"
in Pennsylvania to increase awareness and understanding of
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
WHEREAS, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a debilitating and
generally fatal disease marked by progressive scarring of the
lungs, causing an irreversible loss of the lung tissue's ability
to transport oxygen; and
WHEREAS, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progresses quickly,
often causing disability or death within three to five years;
and
WHEREAS, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common
form of interstitial lung disease; and
WHEREAS, There is no proven cause of idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis and it is often misdiagnosed or under diagnosed; and
WHEREAS, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is five times more
common than cystic fibrosis and Lou Gehrig's disease yet the
disease remains virtually unknown and receives a fraction of the
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research funding; and
WHEREAS, More than 132,000 United States' citizens have
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and more than 50,000 new cases are
diagnosed each year; and
WHEREAS, Forty thousand people die each year due to
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, the same number as breast cancer;
and
WHEREAS, Approximately 7,000 Pennsylvanians suffer from
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; and
WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has become a leader in research
and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with more than
15% of all lung transplants in the United States performed in
Pennsylvania hospitals; and
WHEREAS, COVID-19 poses a great threat to patients with
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis due to the average age of
diagnosis and the vulnerability of their lungs and immune
systems; and
WHEREAS, Increased research, awareness and detection of
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is needed; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
week of September 6 through 12, 2020, as "Idiopathic Pulmonary
Fibrosis Research and Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania to
increase awareness and understanding of idiopathic pulmonary
fibrosis to support improved diagnosis and treatment.
20200HR0910PN3994 - 2 -
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