2024 House Resolution 253

Whereas, Cystic fibrosis, commonly referred to as CF, is a genetic disease affecting approximately 40,000 children and adults in the United States living with CF, and approximately 105,000 people having been diagnosed worldwide across 94 countries; and

Whereas, Cystic fibrosis starts in the body with a defective gene that causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, and these secretions produce life-threatening lung infections and obstruct the pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestine to help break down and absorb food; and

Whereas, More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of the defective gene, approximately 1,000 new cases of CF are diagnosed each year with 75 percent being diagnosed before age two and sadly people of color remain underdiagnosed in the United States and the world; and

Whereas, Infant blood screening to detect genetic defects is the most reliable and least costly method to identify persons likely to have CF and early diagnosis permits earlier treatment and enhances quality of life and longevity, the treatments determined by stage and organs effected; and

Whereas, In 1989, scientists made a ground-breaking discovery of the defective CFTR gene responsible for CF. The discovery paved the way for understanding CF at a molecular level leading to development or targeted treatments including the approval of drugs that managed symptoms; and

Whereas, Entering the 2000s, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation’s Therapeutics Development Program made significant investments to which have led to breakthrough drug therapies aimed at the underlying genetic defect; and

Whereas, Innovative treatments and access to care play a critical role for individuals with CF getting the treatments and increasing their quality and life expectancy, which in the United States in 2018 the median survival age was 41 and has now risen to 56 years. While areas of the world without the level of access and care the survival age is 8 years or younger; and

Whereas, The state of Michigan has eight world-class treatment centers specializing in the diagnosis and care of CF and non-profit advocacy groups which have served to care, educate, and raise awareness but also to celebrate the resilience and achievements of those individuals with CF and communities supporting the fight against this challenging disease; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare May 2024 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month in the state of Michigan.