| 5 | 6 | | WHEREAS, The C&S Patient Education Foundation, also known as |
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| 6 | 7 | | Conquer Chiari, is dedicated to improving the experiences and |
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| 7 | 8 | | outcomes of those suffering from Chiari malformation through |
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| 8 | 9 | | education, awareness, and research; and |
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| 9 | 10 | | WHEREAS, Affecting more than 300,000 people in the United |
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| 10 | 11 | | States, Chiari malformation is a serious neurological disorder that |
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| 11 | 12 | | occurs when the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls |
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| 12 | 13 | | balance, descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord; this |
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| 13 | 14 | | puts pressure on both the brain and the spine and disrupts the |
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| 14 | 15 | | normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid, causing a wide variety of |
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| 15 | 16 | | symptoms, including severe head and neck pain, trouble swallowing, |
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| 16 | 17 | | balance problems, sleep apnea, muscle weakness, blurred or double |
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| 17 | 18 | | vision, and vertigo; and |
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| 18 | 19 | | WHEREAS, It is estimated that Chiari occurs in approximately |
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| 19 | 20 | | 1 in 1,000 births nationwide, but some individuals who are born with |
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| 20 | 21 | | the condition may not show symptoms until adolescence or adulthood, |
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| 21 | 22 | | if at all; many patients undergo brain surgery in an attempt to keep |
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| 22 | 23 | | symptoms from progressing, but surgery is not always successful; |
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| 23 | 24 | | and |
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| 24 | 25 | | WHEREAS, To date, the cause of Chiari malformation is still |
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| 25 | 26 | | unknown, and scientists are investigating whether the disease is a |
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| 26 | 27 | | congenital or genetic condition; the National Institute of |
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| 27 | 28 | | Neurological Disorders and Stroke, which is part of the National |
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| 28 | 29 | | Institutes of Health, is conducting research to better understand |
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| 29 | 30 | | the disease and to create improved treatment and prevention plans; |
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| 30 | 31 | | and |
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| 31 | 32 | | WHEREAS, While doctors and patients work to learn more about |
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| 32 | 33 | | Chiari malformation, Conquer Chiari is advocating for increased |
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| 33 | 34 | | public awareness of the disease and its consequences; a nonprofit |
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| 34 | 35 | | organization, Conquer Chiari aids the medical community and |
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| 35 | 36 | | maintains a website offering those affected the most comprehensive |
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| 36 | 37 | | source of information available; in addition, the group holds |
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| 37 | 38 | | annual fund-raising walks in various locations across the country; |
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| 38 | 39 | | this year, 44 states are hosting Conquer Chiari Walk Across America |
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| 39 | 40 | | events at 88 sites on September 19, 2015, and six cities in Texas |
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| 40 | 41 | | are among them: Amarillo, Beaumont, Burkburnett, Round Rock, San |
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| 41 | 42 | | Antonio, and Dallas-Fort Worth; and |
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| 42 | 43 | | WHEREAS, Conquer Chiari is helping to educate people about |
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| 43 | 44 | | this disorder while providing invaluable support to those facing |
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| 44 | 45 | | diagnosis and treatment, and the organization and its admirable |
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| 45 | 46 | | goals are indeed worthy of commendation; now, therefore, be it |
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| 46 | 47 | | RESOLVED, That the 84th Legislature of the State of Texas |
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| 47 | 48 | | hereby honor Conquer Chiari for its efforts in behalf of those with |
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| 48 | 49 | | Chiari malformation and encourage all Texans to learn more about |
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| 49 | 50 | | this serious health issue; and, be it further |
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| 50 | 51 | | RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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| 51 | 52 | | prepared for Conquer Chiari as an expression of high regard by the |
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| 52 | 53 | | Texas House of Representatives and Senate. |
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