SENATE RESOLUTION

                               8670

By Senator Finkbeiner

     WHEREAS, Of all muscular dystrophies, Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is the world's most common and lethal form of genetic childhood disease, affecting, according to one study, one in every 3,500 newborn males worldwide, and is characterized by a rapidly progressive form of genetic weakness that  results in death, usually by late teens or early twenties; and

     WHEREAS, If a female is a carrier of the dystrophin gene with a mutation, there is a fifty percent chance per birth that her male offspring will have Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and a fifty percent chance per birth that her female offspring will be carriers; and

     WHEREAS, Other forms of muscular dystrophy affecting children include Becker, limb-girdle, congenital, facioscapulohumeral, mytonic, oculopharyngeal, distal, and Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophies and spinal muscular atrophy; and

     WHEREAS, Each of these muscular dystrophies, though distinct in progressivity and severity of symptoms, has a devastating impact on thousands of children throughout the United States and worldwide; and

     WHEREAS, Children with muscular dystrophy exhibit extreme symptoms of weakness, delay in walking, waddling gait, difficulty in climbing stairs, and progressive mobility problems often in combination with muscle hypertrophy; and

     WHEREAS, Because of  limited medical research specific to the muscular dystrophies, current treatment options are minimal in efficacy and palliation, and with respect to Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, are aimed at simply managing the symptoms in an effort to optimize the quality of life; and

     WHEREAS, Many family physicians and health care professionals lack the knowledge and resources to detect and properly diagnosis the disease as early as possible, thus exacerbating the progression of symptoms in cases that go undetected or misdiagnosed; and

     WHEREAS, This disease has a significant impact on quality of life -- not only for the individual who experiences its painful symptoms and resulting disability, but also for the family members and caregivers; and

     WHEREAS, Currently there exists only a small quantity of public information about the various forms of muscular dystrophy, and what little information does exist remains inadequately disseminated and insufficient in addressing the needs of specific diverse populations and other underserved groups; and 

     WHEREAS, Educating the public and health care community throughout the state and country about this devastating disease is of paramount importance and is in every respect in the public interest and to the benefit of all communities;    

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington recognize, honor and express appreciation for the courage and efforts of parents of children with muscular dystrophies and other people in our state who work tirelessly to raise public awareness of the needs of children and their families with this disease so that they can survive, thrive and fully participate into adult age; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington also recognize the  collaborative efforts of families and others to disseminate information about muscular dystrophies and marshal private and public resources focused on learning more about causes, treatments and a cure for the various forms of muscular dystrophy; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Senate of the state of Washington also recognize the plight of all people afflicted with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Becker Muscular Dystrophy and other muscular dystrophies,  and their families in Washington, the United States, and worldwide.

I, Tony M. Cook, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8670,

adopted by the Senate April 13, 2001.

TONY M. COOK

Secretary of the Senate