HR0706LRB103 40128 LAW 71800 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2    WHEREAS, The members of Illinois House of Representatives
3wish to raise awareness surrounding the rare disease of spinal
4muscular atrophy; and
 
5    WHEREAS, Spinal muscular atrophy is a degenerative,
6genetic neurological condition that affects and prevents
7motor-control neurons from sending signals from the central
8nervous system to the body's muscles, causing the loss of
9muscle control and ultimately muscle wasting; and
 
10    WHEREAS, Spinal muscular atrophy is a rare genetic
11neuromuscular disease; and
 
12    WHEREAS, In the United States, an estimated one in 11,000
13babies are born with spinal muscular atrophy; and
 
14    WHEREAS, There are four types of spinal muscular atrophy,
15the most severe of which may require a ventilator and feeding
16tubes; and
 
17    WHEREAS, Spinal muscular atrophy affects everyone
18differently, and symptoms can vary greatly according to the
19age of onset and the severity of the disease; and
 

 

 

HR0706- 2 -LRB103 40128 LAW 71800 r

1    WHEREAS, Those who suffer from spinal muscular atrophy
2have normally developed brains and are bright, sensitive, and
3full of life despite their diagnosis; and
 
4    WHEREAS, Unlike many other rare neuromuscular diseases,
5there is a clear understanding of the specific genetic cause
6of spinal muscular atrophy; and
 
7    WHEREAS, Ongoing research offers the promise that a cure
8for spinal muscular atrophy may one day be found; and
 
9    WHEREAS, Increased awareness of spinal muscular atrophy
10will lead to increased knowledge and increased support for
11both disease research and the families affected by the
12disease; therefore, be it
 
13    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE
14HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
15we declare the month of August 2024 as Spinal Muscular Atrophy
16Awareness Month in the State of Illinois, and we encourage
17continuing research on spinal muscular atrophy and community
18support for those affected with the disease.