1.1A Senate resolution
1.2proclaiming May 2017 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.
1.3WHEREAS, Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a genetic disease affecting approximately 70,000 children
1.4and adults worldwide and nearly 30,000 children and adults in the United States, 600 of whom live
1.5in Minnesota; and
1.6WHEREAS, a defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus
1.7that clogs the lungs, and these secretions produce life-threatening lung infections and obstruct the
1.8pancreas, preventing digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and absorb
1.9food; and
1.10WHEREAS, the number of adults with CF has steadily grown, and approximately 1,000
1.11new cases of CF are diagnosed each year; and
1.12WHEREAS, nearly 50 percent of the CF population is 18 years of age and older, and people
1.13with CF have a variety of symptoms attributed to the more than 1,800 mutations of the CF gene;
1.14and
1.15WHEREAS, all newborns born in the United States are automatically screened for CF at
1.16birth; and
1.17WHEREAS, early diagnosis of CF allows for early treatment and enhances quality of life
1.18and longevity and the treatment of CF depends on the stage of the disease and the organs involved;
1.19and
1.20WHEREAS, clearing mucus from the lungs is an important part of the daily CF treatment
1.21regimen, and other types of treatments include inhaled antibiotics and pancreatic enzymes, among
1.22others; and
1.23WHEREAS, there are three Cystic Fibrosis Foundation-accredited treatment centers in
1.24Minnesota, which specialize in the diagnosis of CF and the care of persons with CF. A critical
2.1component of treating patients with CF includes access to innovative treatments, which can play a
2.2crucial role in the lives of patients with this disease; and
2.3WHEREAS, improving the length and quality of life for people with CF starts with awareness;
2.4and
2.5WHEREAS, it is important to honor people like my constituent, Dylan Mertz, who fight
2.6Cystic Fibrosis every day and Michael Schmitt who fought valiantly; and
2.7NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the State of Minnesota that it
2.8proclaims May 2017 as Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month.
2.9BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Secretary of the Senate is directed to prepare an
2.10enrolled copy of this resolution, to be authenticated by the Secretary's signature and that of the
2.11Chair of the Senate Rules and Administration Committee, and transmit it to the Cystic Fibrosis
2.12Foundation.

Cal R. LudemanSecretary of the Senate

Paul E. GazelkaChair, Senate Committee onRules and Administration

Mary KiffmeyerState Senator, District 30