HR 529 — A Resolution designating the week of September 20 through 27, 2026, as "Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research and Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania to increase awareness and understanding of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to support improved diagnosis and treatment.

PRINTER'S NO.    3419

                     THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



              HOUSE RESOLUTION
                 No. 529
                                                 Session of
                                                   2026

     INTRODUCED BY RAPP, VENKAT, KAUFFMAN, PICKETT, RIVERA AND
        GALLAGHER, MAY 14, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MAY 20, 2026


                                  A RESOLUTION
 1   Designating the week of September 20 through 27, 2026, as
 2      "Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis Research and Awareness Week"
 3      in Pennsylvania to increase awareness and understanding of
 4      idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis to support improved diagnosis
 5      and treatment.
 6         WHEREAS, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a debilitating and
 7   generally fatal disease marked by progressive scarring of the
 8   lungs, causing an irreversible loss of the lung tissue's ability
 9   to transport oxygen; and
10         WHEREAS, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis progresses quickly,
11   often causing disability or death within three to five years;
12   and
13         WHEREAS, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is the most common
14   form of interstitial lung disease; and
15         WHEREAS, There is no proven cause of idiopathic pulmonary
16   fibrosis, and it is often misdiagnosed or underdiagnosed; and
17         WHEREAS, Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is five times more
18   common than cystic fibrosis and Lou Gehrig's disease, yet the
19   disease remains virtually unknown and receives a fraction of the
 1   research funding; and
 2         WHEREAS, It is estimated that idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
 3   affects between 132,000 to 200,000 individuals in the United
 4   States and more than 48,000 new cases are diagnosed each year;
 5   and
 6         WHEREAS, Approximately 40,000 people die each year due to
 7   idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, which is similar to the number of
 8   deaths that occur due to breast cancer; and
 9         WHEREAS, Approximately 7,000 Pennsylvanians suffer from
10   idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis; and
11         WHEREAS, This Commonwealth has become a leader in the
12   research and treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, with
13   more than 15% of all lung transplants in the United States
14   performed in Pennsylvania hospitals; and
15         WHEREAS, Organizations like the Wescoe Foundation for
16   Pulmonary Fibrosis play a crucial role in raising awareness and
17   providing support and education for patients, families and
18   health care providers throughout this Commonwealth; and
19         WHEREAS, Increased research, awareness and detection of
20   idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is needed; therefore be it
21         RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
22   week of September 20 through 27, 2026, as "Idiopathic Pulmonary
23   Fibrosis Research and Awareness Week" in Pennsylvania to
24   increase awareness and understanding of idiopathic pulmonary
25   fibrosis to support improved diagnosis and treatment.




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