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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, Hemophilia and von Willebrand disease are types of |
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bleeding disorders that have been diagnosed in more than 1,100 |
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Texans; and |
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WHEREAS, Hemophilia A, known as factor VIII deficiency, is |
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largely an inherited disorder in which one of the proteins needed to |
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form blood clots is missing or reduced; in some cases, however, |
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there is no family history of the disorder, and the condition is the |
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result of a spontaneous gene mutation; approximately one in 5,000 |
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males born in the United States has hemophilia A; hemophilia B, |
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known as factor IX deficiency, is far less common than hemophilia A, |
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occurring in only about one in 25,000 male births; and |
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WHEREAS, When people with hemophilia are injured, they bleed |
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longer than those without hemophilia; small cuts or surface bruises |
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are usually not a problem, but more traumatic injuries may result in |
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serious problems and potential disability; the main treatment for |
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hemophilia involves regular injections or infusions of clotting |
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factor derived from donated human blood or from genetically |
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engineered products called recombinant clotting factors; and |
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WHEREAS, Von Willebrand disease is caused by a defect or |
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deficiency of a blood clotting protein and is estimated to occur in |
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one to two percent of the population; people with VWD usually bruise |
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easily, have recurrent nosebleeds, or bleed after tooth extraction |
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or other surgery, but depending on whether the disease is mild or |
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severe, there is a variety of treatments available; and |
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WHEREAS, Individuals with these diseases often face |
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challenges in accessing the appropriate care they need to lead |
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healthy and productive lives; they require access to the full range |
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of therapies, as well as to proper providers and designated centers |
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of excellence suitable to their unique health care needs; moreover, |
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they need options for pharmacies and home support services; and |
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WHEREAS, In 1973, the National Hemophilia Foundation |
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launched a two-year campaign to establish the creation of a |
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nationwide network of hemophilia diagnostic and treatment centers, |
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and today there are some 140 treatment centers and programs |
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throughout the country; access to comprehensive care has been shown |
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to markedly improve outcomes for individuals with bleeding |
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disorders; and |
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WHEREAS, Much work still needs to be done in behalf of people |
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with hemophilia and von Willebrand disease, and educating others is |
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a vital first step; now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 81st Texas |
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Legislature hereby promote greater public awareness of hemophilia |
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and von Willebrand disease and encourage all Texans to become |
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better informed of the particular needs of individuals with |
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bleeding disorders. |
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Maldonado |
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Villarreal |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1784 was adopted by the House on May |
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27, 2009, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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