HR1063 99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR1063 LRB099 20962 MST 45907 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Hemophilia and related bleeding disorders are genetic conditions affecting thousands of people in the State of Illinois; it is characterized by the absence of one of several clotting factors necessary to control bleeding; the standard of care for the treatment of these disorders is to replace the absent clotting factors necessary to control bleeding; and

WHEREAS, Without treatment, people with hemophilia and other related bleeding disorders face frequent, spontaneous bleeding episodes in their joints, causing swelling in the joint, muscles, internal organs, and brain; repeated bleeding episodes in joints result in chronic degenerative arthritic conditions, which often lead to frequent hospitalizations, permanent disability, and chronic pain; bleeding episodes involving internal organs and the brain can cause permanent damage, disability and even death; and

WHEREAS, Severe bleeding episodes result in lost time at work and school, decreased quality of life, and the inability to perform basic living activities; and

WHEREAS, With proper care and access to comprehensive medical resources, persons with hemophilia and other related bleeding disorders can control bleeding episodes and can lead productive lives; and

WHEREAS, The Medical and Scientific Advisory Committee of the National Hemophilia Foundation recommends recombinant factor products as the treatment of choice for persons with hemophilia Factor 8, Factor 9, and sometimes von Willebrand's Disease; and

WHEREAS, Visits to federally recognized Hemophilia Treatment Centers of Excellence reduce morbidity and mortality significantly; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois is committed to proper care and treatment of children and adults with hemophilia and other related bleeding disorders through previously enacted legislation; and

WHEREAS, Hemophilia and other related bleeding disorders and their complications are not well understood by the general public; and

WHEREAS, The State of Illinois encourages efforts to promote the understanding of hemophilia and other related bleeding disorders so that there is treated properly; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-NINTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Illinoisans participating in Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month and advocacy events in March and throughout the year; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to the Director of the Bleeding and Clotting Disorders Institute Michael Tarantino, M.D., the dedicated staff at the federally recognized centers of excellence in Illinois, and Bob Robinson and his team at the Bleeding Disorders Alliance of Illinois.