Senate Bill sb2478

    Florida Senate - 2004        (Corrected Copy - np)     SR 2478

    By Senator Saunders





    37-1765A-04

  1                    Senate Resolution No. ____

  2         A resolution recognizing May 2004 as "Alpha-1

  3         Awareness Month" in Florida.

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  5         WHEREAS, Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (Alpha-1) is

  6  one of the most common serious hereditary disorders in the

  7  world, is caused by a defective gene, and can result in

  8  life-threatening liver disease in children and adults or in

  9  lung disease in adults, and

10         WHEREAS, Alpha-1 has been identified in virtually all

11  populations afflicting an estimated 100,000 Americans and a

12  similar number in Europe, while more than 25 million people in

13  the United States are believed to be carriers of the defective

14  gene and may pass the gene on to their children, and

15         WHEREAS, as a result of under-diagnosis, or

16  misdiagnosis as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or

17  asthma, Alpha-1 has been detected in fewer than 10 percent of

18  those who are believed to suffer from the disorder, often

19  taking an average of five different physicians and 7 years

20  from the time symptoms first appear before the simple blood

21  test required to make a correct diagnosis is administered and

22  the disorder is identified, and

23         WHEREAS, originating in the liver, Alpha-1 can lead to

24  liver or lung failure at any time in life, is the most

25  frequent genetic cause of disability and early death of

26  afflicted persons, is the leading genetic cause for liver

27  transplantation in children, and is a major reason for lung

28  transplant, and

29         WHEREAS, increased awareness of Alpha-1 and its genetic

30  cause will result in earlier detection and more appropriate

31  treatment of the disorder, sparing those it afflicts from

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    Florida Senate - 2004        (Corrected Copy - np)     SR 2478
    37-1765A-04




 1  enduring the persistence of the debilitation imposed by

 2  misdiagnosis of the disorder, NOW, THEREFORE,

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 4  Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

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 6         That the Florida Senate recognizes May 2004 as "Alpha-1

 7  Awareness Month" in Florida, and encourages all who reside in

 8  this state to become knowledgeable about the cause of the

 9  disorder, its symptoms, and the diagnostic procedures most

10  likely to lead to early detection and appropriate treatment.

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CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.