08 LC 95
0119
House
Resolution 1188
By:
Representatives Mills of the
25th,
Parrish of the
156th,
Golick of the
34th,
Maxwell of the
17th,
Lunsford of the
110th,
and others
A
RESOLUTION
Designating
the third full week of September in each year as "Mitochondrial Disease
Awareness Week"; and for other purposes.
WHEREAS,
mitochondria are the power plants in every cell of a person´s body,
creating more than 90 percent of the energy needed by the body to sustain life
and support growth; and
WHEREAS,
mitochondria may not function correctly due to genetic defects, damage caused by
drugs, or damage caused by destructive molecules called free radicals;
and
WHEREAS,
when mitochondria fail, cell injury and cell death follow, and if the process is
repeated throughout the body, whole systems begin to fail; and
WHEREAS,
mitochondrial diseases can cause isolated symptoms like seizures, low blood
counts, blindness, deafness, dementia, heart failure, and progressive muscle
weakness, but more often they cause failure of several organ systems in
sequence; and
WHEREAS,
mitochondrial diseases can affect any person at any age; and
WHEREAS,
it is estimated that more than one in 4,000 children born in the United States
each year will develop a mitochondrial disease by the age of ten;
and
WHEREAS,
since mitochondrial disorders mimic other diseases, it is believed that they are
under diagnosed; and
WHEREAS,
currently, no cures or effective therapies exist, but early diagnosis can help
patients and their families use proper medication and nutritional supplements to
improve the quality of life and even prolong life; and
WHEREAS,
organizations such as the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation provide
much-needed support for families coping with mitochondrial disease, encourage
innovative research of mitochondrial disease on several levels, and sponsor more
than 30 chapters and support groups throughout the United States;
and
WHEREAS,
it is appropriate that all citizens of the State of Georgia be better informed
about mitochondrial diseases and their impact.
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES that the members of
this body designate the third full week of September in each year as
"Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week" and encourage the citizens of Georgia to
observe the week with appropriate activities and programs.
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Clerk of the House of Representatives is authorized
and directed to transmit an appropriate copy of this resolution to the United
Mitochondrial Disease Foundation.