HR1112 98TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1112 LRB098 21357 GRL 59657 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is a recessive form of muscular dystrophy that causes muscle weakness with symptoms beginning in early childhood and has no cure; and

WHEREAS, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is caused by a mutation in the dystrophin gene, located on the X chromosome, which is spread to the child through genetics affecting around 1 in 3,600 boys; women can also carry the gene, but typically do not show the effects of DMD; and

WHEREAS, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is not first noticeable at birth, with symptoms usually showing early signs around ages 1-3, but symptoms progressively increase as the child grows older; and

WHEREAS, The early signs of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy are the child having difficulty walking and running; when holding the child you can feel a looseness of muscles; calf muscles look bulky, but are weak; as the child grows older, they use their hands to help themselves get up; the child's speech development may also be delayed; and

WHEREAS, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy can affect boys from any background and is not more prevalent in any race, culture, or socioeconomic background compared to another; and

WHEREAS, There is no cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, but treatments exist which have made great progress to help people living with this disease; and

WHEREAS, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a fatal disorder, with those who are affected having a life expectancy of around 25 years; living with this disease is incredibly difficult for the child and their families; and

WHEREAS, The Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy was established in 1994 to help families living with this disease, bring awareness to the public, and raise funds to expand research for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; and

WHEREAS, The 20th annual conference of the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy will be held June 26-29 in Chicago; this conference brings families from around the world together to learn about the progress being made in the fight to end Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-EIGHTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we designate the week of June 23-29, 2014 as Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Week in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy as a symbol of our esteem and respect.