SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 701

WHEREAS, Cystic fibrosis, commonly referred to as CF, is a genetic disease that affects approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United States and nearly 70,000 children and adults worldwide, more than 1,700 of whom live in this state; and

WHEREAS, In persons with cystic fibrosis, a defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, and these secretions produce life-threatening lung infections; the secretions also obstruct the pancreas and prevent its digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help the body break down and absorb food; and

WHEREAS, More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of the defective CF gene, and this disease occurs in approximately one of every 3,500 live births in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The median age of survival for a person with cystic fibrosis is 41.1 years; and

WHEREAS, With advances in the treatment of CF, the number of adults living with this disease has steadily grown, and approximately 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 50 percent of the affected population is 18 years of age or older, and people with the disease have a variety of symptoms attributed to the more than 1,800 mutations of the CF gene; and

WHEREAS, Infant blood screening to detect genetic defects is the most reliable and least costly method to identify persons likely to have cystic fibrosis; and

WHEREAS, Early diagnosis of the disease permits early treatment and enhances the quality of life and longevity of patients; the treatment of CF depends on the stage of the disease and the organs involved; and

WHEREAS, Clearing mucus from the lungs is an important part of the daily CF treatment regimen, and other types of treatments include inhaled antibiotics and pancreatic enzymes, among others; and

WHEREAS, A critical component of treating patients with cystic fibrosis is access to innovative treatments, which can play a crucial role in the lives of patients with CF; and

WHEREAS, There are 11 world-class treatment centers in this state which specialize in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis and the care of persons with CF; and

WHEREAS, Improving the length and quality of life for people with CF starts with awareness; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 85th Legislature, hereby designate the month of May 2017 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in Texas.

Schwertner

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 1, 2017.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate