HLS 23RS-1578 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 97
BY REPRESENTATIVE WHEAT
SPECIAL DAY/WEEK/MONTH: Recognizes May 17, 2023, as Diffuse Midline
Glioma/Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DMG/DIPG) Awareness Day in Louisiana
1 A RESOLUTION
2To recognize May 17, 2023, as Diffuse Midline Glioma/Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
3 (DMG/DIPG) Awareness Day in Louisiana.
4 WHEREAS, diffuse midline glioma (DMG), also referred to as diffuse intrinsic
5pontine glioma (DIPG), is an aggressive brain tumor that attacks the brainstem and slowly
6destroys all vital functions, even as cognitive function remains intact, rendering the affected
7person a prisoner in his or her own body; it is regarded by the medical community as the
8deadliest form of childhood cancer; and
9 WHEREAS, diffuse midline glioma typically affects children who are between the
10ages of five and nine; tragically, while the medical community has been aware of diffuse
11midline glioma for four decades, they have been unable to develop any treatment, making
12the disease inoperable, incurable, and fatal; and
13 WHEREAS, diffuse midline glioma accounts for 10-20% of all brain tumors in
14young children, and individuals diagnosed with the disease face a median overall survival
15rate of only eight to twelve months; and
16 WHEREAS, Kallie Dickens, daughter of Hayley and Justin Dickens and sister of
17Kora Dickens, was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma in June 2021; she endured
18unimaginable treatment regimens with grace, optimism, and a perpetual smile on her
19beautiful face; she tragically lost her battle in May 2022, eleven months after being
20diagnosed; and
Page 1 of 2 HLS 23RS-1578 ORIGINAL
HR NO. 97
1 WHEREAS, Kallie's family carries the bright light of her memory through "Keeping
2A Light for Kallie", a charitable organization that supports pediatric cancer families both
3financially and emotionally; and
4 WHEREAS, it most fitting to recognize May 17, 2023, as Diffuse Midline
5Glioma/Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DMG/DIPG) Awareness Day in Louisiana to
6carry on the light of Kallie and all others who have passed as a result of this terrible disease.
7 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
8Legislature of Louisiana does hereby recognize May 17, 2023, as Diffuse Midline
9Glioma/Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DMG/DIPG) Awareness Day in Louisiana and
10does hereby extend sincerest wishes that all Louisianians offer their support in hopes that
11we may one day find a cure to this and other terrible childhood diseases.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 97 Original 2023 Regular Session Wheat
Recognizes May 17, 2023, as Diffuse Midline Glioma/Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma
(DMG/DIPG) Awareness Day in La.
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