HCR 9: Proclaiming April 19, 2015, as Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day.
00 HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 9 01 Proclaiming April 19, 2015, as Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day. 02 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA: 03 WHEREAS one in every 2,500 babies is diagnosed with congenital diaphragmatic 04 hernia; and 05 WHEREAS, since 2000, it is estimated that over 500,000 babies have been born with 06 congenital diaphragmatic hernia and only 50 percent of those babies survived; and 07 WHEREAS, though congenital diaphragmatic hernia is as common as spina bifida 08 and cystic fibrosis, very few people know about it; and 09 WHEREAS, every year in the United States, 1,600 babies are born with congenital 10 diaphragmatic hernia; and 11 WHEREAS, though many individuals living in the state have been diagnosed with 12 and survived congenital diaphragmatic hernia, many families have endured the horrible pain 13 and grief associated with the loss of loved ones from congenital diaphragmatic hernia; and 14 WHEREAS individuals with congenital diaphragmatic hernia often endure multiple 15 surgeries and medical complications beyond their diagnosis, including heart defects, 16 pulmonary complications, gastric and intestinal problems, and developmental delays and
01 require respiratory and medicinal support for years; and 02 WHEREAS raising awareness of this congenital defect will increase acceptance of 03 and support for those individuals suffering from it and will help advocate for the medical 04 research and advances that are urgently needed; 05 BE IT RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature proclaims April 19, 2015, as 06 Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day; and be it 07 FURTHER RESOLVED that the Alaska State Legislature encourages the people of 08 the state to observe Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Action Day with appropriate efforts to 09 promote awareness of congenital diaphragmatic hernia, to promote acceptance of and support 10 for individuals with congenital diaphragmatic hernia, and their families, and to improve the 11 lives of individuals affected by congenital diaphragmatic hernia.