The Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act

THE BONE MARROW FAILURE DISEASE RESEARCH AND TREATMENT ACT -- (Extensions of Remarks - September 11, 2008)

* Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act. For hundreds of thousands of bone marrow failure disease patients across our country, this is a day filled with the promise of a cure.

* For their families, this is a day infused with the hope that the power of medical inquiry and research can conquer these deadly diseases.

* For those of us in this chamber who knew, respected, and loved colleagues whose lives were taken by these diseases--including my late husband Bob--this is a day to reflect on their legacies and to renew our commitment to the research that will generate treatments and cures.

* For medical researchers with ideas about new and innovative ways to combat these awful diseases, this is a day characterized by the certainty that the U.S. House of Representatives stands with them in their quest to beat bone marrow failure diseases.

* The legislation I am introducing today is designed to ensure that families in the future will not have to suffer the agonizing uncertainty that my family endured when Bob was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, MDS.

* Between 20,000 and 30,000 families receive a bone marrow failure disease diagnosis every year in the United States. Their lives are changed instantly when they learn that a loved one's bone marrow has malfunctioned.

* Blood is such a delicate balance of different kinds of cells, and when the marrow that produces our blood stops working properly, the foundation of a human's physical health is sorely undermined. Death is often the end result.

* The research produced by this bill will point the way toward a future where a diagnosis of aplastic anemia, MDS, acute myeloid leukemia, or any of the other bone marrow failure diseases is but a hurdle to overcome instead of a likely death sentence.

* This is the future that I envision as a result of the Bone Marrow Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act.

* I thank all of my colleagues in this chamber who have supported, and who will support, this critical legislation. I look forward to working toward its passage, for the sake of bone marrow failure disease patients in every city, town, and community in our great country.

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