South Carolina General Assembly
117th Session, 2007-2008

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Bill 1138

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COMMITTEE REPORT

March 27, 2008

S. 1138

Introduced by Senators Peeler and Ritchie

S. Printed 3/27/08--H.

Read the first time March 25, 2008.

            

THE COMMITTEE ON

INVITATIONS AND MEMORIAL RESOLUTIONS

To whom was referred a Concurrent Resolution (S. 1138) designating the third full week of September in each year as "Mitochondrial Disease Awareness, etc., respectfully

REPORT:

That they have duly and carefully considered the same and recommend that the same do pass:

ROBERT W. LEACH, SR. for Committee.

            

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION

DESIGNATING THE THIRD FULL WEEK OF SEPTEMBER IN EACH YEAR AS "MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE AWARENESS WEEK".

Whereas, mitochondria are the power plants in every cell of a person's body and create more than ninety 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 four thousand children born in the United States each year will develop a mitochondrial disease by ten years of age; 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, it is appropriate that all citizens of the State of South Carolina be better informed about mitochondrial diseases and their impact. Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate, the House of Representatives concurring:

That the members of the South Carolina General Assembly, by this resolution, do designate the third full week of September in each year as "Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week" in the State of South Carolina, and the citizens of South Carolina are urged to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs.

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