IV 
110TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION 
H. CON. RES. 81 
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding bone marrow diseases. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MARCH 6, 2007 
Mr. MCGOVERN (for himself and Mrs. BONO) submitted the following concur-
rent resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 
Commerce 
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION 
Expressing the sense of the Congress regarding bone marrow 
diseases. 
Whereas every year approximately 20,000 to 30,000 Ameri-
cans are diagnosed with aplastic anemia, myelodysplastic 
syndromes (MDS), or paroxysmal nocturnal hemo-
globinuria (PNH); 
Whereas bone marrow diseases can strike any person any-
where in the world, regardless of age, gender, race, or 
ethnicity; 
Whereas the highest incidence of these diseases occurs with 
people age 60 or older; 
Whereas the number of cases of these diseases will increase 
each year as the American population continues to age; 
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•HCON 81 IH 
Whereas bone marrow diseases occur when the bone marrow 
stops making enough healthy blood cells or produces 
poorly functioning blood cells; 
Whereas the causes of aplastic anemia, MDS, and PNH re-
main unknown, but are linked to toxins and viruses that 
commonly occur in our society and both prescription and 
over-the-counter medications; 
Whereas patients diagnosed with these diseases also suffer 
from anemia, bleeding, infections, and thrombosis; 
Whereas most treatments for bone marrow diseases are ex-
perimental, and there is no single cure for these diseases; 
Whereas the Aplastic Anemia & MDS International Founda-
tion is the Nation’s oldest and largest patient advocacy 
and support network for individuals suffering from bone 
marrow diseases; and 
Whereas the Congress as an institution and Members of Con-
gress as individuals are in unique positions to help raise 
public awareness about bone marrow diseases and to sup-
port the fight against these diseases: Now, therefore, be 
it 
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate 
concurring), That it is the sense of the Congress that— 
(1) all Americans should gain a better under-
standing of bone marrow diseases and their symp-
toms; 
(2) all individuals diagnosed with bone marrow 
diseases and their families should have access to a 
variety of treatment and counseling options; 
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•HCON 81 IH 
(3) families coping with bone marrow diseases 
should be linked to support networks and counseling 
and information services provided by non-profit or-
ganizations like the Aplastic Anemia & MDS Inter-
national Foundation; and 
(4) the Federal Government should— 
(A) endeavor to raise awareness about the 
importance of the early detection of, and proper 
treatment for, bone marrow diseases; 
(B) provide adequate funding for research 
into the causes of, and improved treatment for, 
bone marrow diseases; 
(C) engage in such public health initiatives 
as surveillance, education, and awareness of 
bone marrow diseases; and 
(D) continue to consider ways to improve 
access to, and the quality of, health care serv-
ices for detecting and treating bone marrow dis-
eases. 
Æ 
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