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2015 SESSION

15105256D
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 888
Offered February 20, 2015
Commending the Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation.
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Patrons-- Hope; Senator: Favola
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WHEREAS, the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation supports Virginia families by educating the public about the signs, symptoms, and risk factors of cardiomyopathy and providing information and resources to help identify at-risk children and their family members; and

WHEREAS, the goal of the Children’s Cardiomyopathy Foundation is to properly diagnose and treat more children with cardiomyopathy to improve their outcomes and prevent premature deaths; and

WHEREAS, cardiomyopathy is a chronic and sometimes progressive disease in which the heart muscle is abnormally enlarged, thickened, or stiffened, affecting its ability to pump blood through the body; and

WHEREAS, in advanced stages of the disease, irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia) and heart failure may occur; and

WHEREAS, cardiomyopathy is a potentially life-threatening disease and is the leading cause of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) among young people; and

WHEREAS, SCA is a significant cause of death in the United States, claiming more than 295,000 lives per year; it is the number one cause of death on school property among young athletes; and

WHEREAS, only five percent of those who fall victim to SCA survive; however, death can be prevented if a heart condition like cardiomyopathy is detected early and treated appropriately; and

WHEREAS, having an automatic external defibrillator (AED) available and accessible is also critical to saving lives when SCA strikes unexpectedly; and

WHEREAS, February is designated nationally as Heart Month to raise awareness of cardiomyopathy and other heart conditions; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the General Assembly hereby commend the Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation for its advocacy and education on issues affecting children with cardiomyopathy within the Commonwealth; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the House of Delegates prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the Children's Cardiomyopathy Foundation as an expression of the General Assembly’s admiration for the organization’s dedication to children and families with cardiomyopathy.