SR-52, As Adopted by Senate, May 2, 2007

            Senators Basham, Patterson, Gleason, Jacobs, Thomas and Schauer offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 52.

            A resolution to commemorate May 12-19, 2007, as Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome Awareness Week in the state of Michigan and name Lindsay Ratcliffe as Michigan Progeria Ambassador.

            Whereas, A mutation of the LMNA gene, or lamin A, causes a rare, fatal, genetic condition of childhood; and

            Whereas, Children with progeria usually have a normal appearance in early infancy; and

            Whereas, At approximately 9 to 24 months of age, affected children begin to experience profound growth delays, resulting in short stature and low weight; and

            Whereas, They also develop a distinctive facial appearance characterized by a small face, underdeveloped jaw, and other changes after the second year of life, affecting the scalp, eyebrows, and hair loss; and

            Whereas, Additional characteristic features include generalized atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease, stroke, other abnormalities, and a greatly shortened lifespan; and

            Whereas, The cost of treatment of progeria is disproportionately higher than that of other childhood diseases because it requires intense therapy to maintain life; and

            Whereas, A progeria patient and Michigan resident, Lindsay Ratcliffe, and her parents, Joe and Kristy, have worked tirelessly to promote understanding and research of the illness; and

            Whereas, Lindsay Ratcliffe has shared with her audience an intimate knowledge of progeria and the impact it has had on her life; and

            Whereas, The mission of the Progeria Research Foundation-Michigan Chapter is to assist the national Progeria Research Foundation in fundraising efforts that will be used to find an effective treatment and a cure for progeria and its aging-related disorders; and

            Whereas, With the help of dedicated volunteers and supporters across the state, the Miles for Miracles Run/Walk Event on May 19, 2007, will help fund research of progeria; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we observe May 12-19, 2007, as Hutchinson-Gilford Progeria Syndrome Awareness Week in the state of Michigan and name Lindsay Ratcliff as the Michigan Progeria Ambassador. It is our hope that all possible support will continue to be extended to progeria patients in Michigan and throughout the country and world; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to Lindsay Ratcliffe, Michigan Progeria Ambassador, and to the Progeria Research Foundation-Michigan Chapter as a token of our highest esteem.