HR0282 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0282 LRB097 11580 KXB 54588 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Children's interstitial lung disease includes a group of rare life-threatening lung diseases in children that may lead to progressive, incurable lung scarring or life-long lung problems; and

WHEREAS, Certain children's interstitial lung diseases can progress quickly, often causing disability or death within the first two years of life; and

WHEREAS, Children's interstitial lung disease is one of the leading causes of lung transplantation in children, due to scarring and an irreversible loss of the lung tissue's ability to transport oxygen; and

WHEREAS, Children's interstitial lung disease is not the same as adult interstitial lung disease; and

WHEREAS, Children's interstitial lung diseases are caused by poorly understood genetic abnormalities that affect families, producing infection, bleeding in the lungs, autoimmune diseases, or abnormal lung development; and

WHEREAS, Children's interstitial lung diseases are often mis-diagnosed or under-diagnosed; and

WHEREAS, There is no proven cure or treatment for children's interstitial lung diseases; and

WHEREAS, Limited funding is available for these rare lung problems in children; and

WHEREAS, A need has been identified to increase research funding, awareness, and detection of these mis-diagnosed and under-diagnosed disorders, as well as all incarnations of children's interstitial lung disease; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we recognize the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for children's interstitial lung disease; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we support the work of advocates and organizations in educating, supporting, and providing hope for individuals who suffer from children's interstitial lung disease; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we congratulate advocates and organizations for their efforts to educate the public about children's interstitial lung disease, while funding research to help find a cure for this disorder; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we designate June 26-July 2, 2011, as Children's Interstitial Lung Disease Awareness Week in the State of Illinois.