SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 528
WHEREAS, Cystic fibrosis, commonly referred to as CF, is a
genetic disease that affects approximately 30,000 children and
adults in the United States and nearly 70,000 children and adults
worldwide, more than 2,000 of whom live in this state; and
WHEREAS, In persons with cystic fibrosis, a defective gene
causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that
clogs the lungs, and these secretions produce life-threatening
lung infections; the secretions also obstruct the pancreas and
prevent its digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to
help the body break down and absorb food; and
WHEREAS, More than 10 million Americans are symptomless
carriers of the defective CF gene, and this disease occurs in
approximately one of every 3,500 live births in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, The median predicted age of survival for a person
with cystic fibrosis born in 2017 was 46.2 years; and
WHEREAS, With advances in the treatment of CF, the number
of adults living with this disease has steadily grown, and
approximately 900 new cases of cystic fibrosis are diagnosed each
year; and
WHEREAS, More than 50 percent of the affected population is
18 years of age or older, and people with the disease have a
variety of symptoms attributed to the more than 1,800 mutations
of the CF gene; and
WHEREAS, Infant blood screening to detect genetic defects
is the most reliable and least costly method to identify persons
likely to have cystic fibrosis; and
WHEREAS, Early diagnosis of the disease permits early
treatment, which enhances the quality of life and longevity of
patients; the treatment of CF depends on the stage of the disease
and the organs involved; and
WHEREAS, Clearing mucus from the lungs is an important part
of the daily CF treatment regimen; other types of treatments
include taking pancreatic enzymes and inhaled antibiotics; and
WHEREAS, A critical component of treating patients with
cystic fibrosis is access to innovative treatments, which can
play a crucial role in the lives of patients with CF; and
WHEREAS, There are 11 world-class treatment centers in
this state which specialize in the diagnosis of cystic fibrosis
and the care of persons with CF; and
WHEREAS, Improving the length and quality of life for
people with CF starts with awareness; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 86th
Legislature, hereby designate the month of May 2019 as Cystic
Fibrosis Awareness Month in Texas.
Kolkhorst
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President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on April 1, 2019.
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Secretary of the Senate
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Member, Texas Senate