WASHINGTON, July 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) announced today the passage of important legislation that recognizes the need for research into the cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a deadly lung disease with no known cause, no FDA-approved treatment, or cure. Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 (S. Con. Res. 42) recognizes the CPF's National IPF Awareness Week and raises the importance of the urgent need to identify viable treatments and an eventual cure for IPF, a disease that is becoming alarmingly more prevalent in the United States.
"The passage of this resolution in the Senate demonstrates that support is growing for the thousands of Americans who are fighting IPF," said Mark Shreve, chief executive officer of the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis. "This is an important step toward increasing awareness of a lethal disease that the average American has never heard of until they or someone they love receives the diagnosis."
IPF is a devastating lung disorder that causes progressive and irreversible scarring in the lungs, and is ultimately fatal. The only treatment to improve survival is a lung transplant, yet most patients don't survive long enough to get one. The average life expectancy for IPF patients is just three years. Every 13 minutes, someone dies from pulmonary fibrosis in the U.S.
The concurrent resolution, introduced by U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) and co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), further affirms Congress' support for the goals and ideals of National IPF Awareness Week, sponsored by the CPF and scheduled to take place Sept. 22-29, 2007 in Washington, D.C. The House version authored by Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA) was introduced on July 12.
The legislation represents an important step for the IPF cause for several reasons:
-- It advocates for patients who suffer from IPF. In the past five years,
IPF prevalence and incidence has increased 156 percent; yet there
remains no FDA approved treatment to combat this deadly disease, and
research funding remains unacceptably low.
-- It creates the foundation on which all future legislation involving IPF
may be based.
-- It defines the challenges facing the IPF community in the Congressional
Record.
-- It becomes a permanent vehicle for educating Members of Congress.
-- It will lead to greater public awareness of IPF.
-- It will initiate a dialog in Congress to increase attention and funding
given to the deadly disease that kills 40,000 Americans each year, as
many as claimed by breast cancer.
"I'm pleased that my colleagues and I have made a commitment to increase advocacy and research on the fatal lung condition, idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis," said Sen. Coleman. "With more than 128,000 people afflicted by this disease nationwide, it is key that we give all idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis patients and their families hope that one day there will be a cure. I believe this new commitment is a step toward real progress."
"Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating illness that affects over a hundred thousand Americans," said Sen. Durbin. "I hope our efforts can raise the profile of those who suffer and dramatically increase research into the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. The tireless work of advocates on this issue deserves the recognition we are giving it today."
"This legislation serves as an incredible endorsement for the work of the CPF and its volunteers in representing the IPF community in Washington," added Shreve. "We are grateful to the Members of Congress who share our hope and commitment to this cause, and we are excited to increase dialog to help our patients and researchers around the country."
What is a Concurrent Resolution?
Concurrent Resolutions are used for expressing facts, principles, opinions, and purposes of the two Houses of Congress -- the House of Representatives and the Senate. On approval by both Houses, they are signed by the Clerk of the House and the Secretary of the Senate and transmitted to the Archivist of the United States for publication in a special part of the Statutes at Large volume covering that session of Congress.
About Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)
IPF is a lung disorder characterized by a progressive scarring -- known as fibrosis -- and deterioration of the lungs, which slowly robs its victims of their ability to breathe. Approximately 128,000 Americans suffer from IPF, and there is currently no known cause or cure. An estimated 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. IPF is difficult to diagnose and an estimated two-thirds of patients die within five years of diagnosis.
About the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis
The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, founded in 2001 to accelerate research efforts leading to a cure for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), while educating, supporting, and advocating for the community of patients, families, and medical professionals fighting this disease. The CPF funds promising research into new approaches to treat and cure pulmonary fibrosis; provides patients and families with comprehensive education materials, resources, and hope; serves as a voice for national advocacy of IPF issues; and works to improve awareness of IPF in the medical community as well as the general public. The CPF's nonprofit partners include many of the most respected medical centers and healthcare organizations in the U.S. With more than 13,000 members nationwide, the CPF is the largest nonprofit organization in the U.S. dedicated to advocating for those with pulmonary fibrosis. For more information please visit http://www.coalitionforpf.org/ or call (888) 222-8541.
Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Mark Shreve http://profnet.prnewswire.com/Subscriber/ExpertProfile.aspx?ei=64213</a>
Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis
CONTACT: Teresa Geiger of the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis,
+1-888-222-8541 ext 702, +1-303-521-4080 cell, tgeiger@coalitionforpf.org
Web site: http://www.coalitionforpf.org/
