S.J.R. 12

1

UTAH MITOCHONDRIAL DISEASE AWARENESS WEEK
2 JOINT RESOLUTION
3 2012 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Mark B. Madsen
6 House Sponsor: Craig A. Frank
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution of the Legislature designates September 3 through September 9,
11 2012, as Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week.
12 Highlighted Provisions:
13 This resolution:
14 . designates September 3 through September 9, 2012, as Mitochondrial Disease
15 Awareness Week in the state of Utah and urges the citizens of Utah to observe the
16 week with appropriate activities and programs.
17 Special Clauses:
18 None
19
20 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
21 WHEREAS, mitochondria are part of every cell in the body and contain genetic
22 material;
23 WHEREAS, mitochondria are responsible for processing oxygen and converting
24 substances from foods eaten into energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth;
25 WHEREAS, mitochondrial disease results from failures of the mitochondria;
26 WHEREAS, mitochondrial disease causes a wide range of health issues including
27 seizures, low blood counts, blindness, deafness, dementia, heart failure, progressive muscle

28 weakness, and often cause sequential failure of several oxygen systems;
29 WHEREAS, symptoms of mitochondrial disease can appear at any age and can
30 significantly compromise lives of affected individuals;
31 WHEREAS, while mitochondrial disease can affect any person at any age, they
32 primarily affect children;
33 WHEREAS, many children with mitochondrial disease die before their teenage years;
34 WHEREAS, though no cure exists, early diagnosis and use of proper medication and
35 nutritional supplements can help reduce symptoms, delay or prevent the progression of the
36 disease, improve quality of life, and even prolong life;
37 WHEREAS, the goal of the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation is "to promote
38 research and education for the diagnosis, treatment, and cure of mitochondrial disorders and to
39 provide support to affected individuals and families"; and
40 WHEREAS, it is appropriate that the citizens of Utah be better informed about
41 mitochondrial diseases and their impact:
42 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
43 designates September 3 through September 9, 2012, as Mitochondrial Disease Awareness
44 Week in the state of Utah and urges the citizens of Utah to observe the week with appropriate
45 activities and programs.
46 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the
47 Mitochondrial Medicine Society, the United Mitochondrial Disease Foundation, the
48 Mitochondrial Physiology Society, the Mitochondrial Research Society, the NIH Mitochondrial
49 Interest Group, and to the Utah Department of Health.




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-26-12 5:11 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel