Supporting the Goals and Ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month

SUPPORTING THE GOALS AND IDEALS OF NATIONAL CYSTIC FIBROSIS AWARENESS MONTH -- (House of Representatives - April 25, 2006)

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

Mr. McGOVERN. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H. Con. Res. 357, offered by the distinguished gentleman from Florida (Mr. Stearns). This resolution would support the goals and ideals of National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.

Cystic Fibrosis is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases in the United States. Approximately 30,000 people in the United States have cystic fibrosis, and about 1,000 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each year. Tragically, more than half of those with CF are children. As I stand here today, more than 10 million Americans are unknowing, symptom-free carriers of the cystic fibrosis gene.

Significant improvements have been made in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. Just a few decades ago, children with CF did not live past 10 years of age. Today the life expectancy has improved, and the number of adults with CF has steadily grown. Even so, there is no cure for this disease, and much still must be done to provide people with CF with a normal and healthy life expectancy.

Early diagnosis is the key, and that is why it's so important that we work to further public awareness and understanding of cystic fibrosis. We must increase support for those affected by this disease and ensure that they have access to quality care, and we also must support research to find a cure for CF.

I am proud to provide my support to this cause, and I ask my colleagues to join me in supporting H. Con. Res. 357 so that the month of May can be dedicated to educating all Americans about cystic fibrosis, about the courage of those who suffer from this disease, and about the important research underway to find a cure.

BREAK IN TRANSCRIPT

http://thomas.loc.gov/