On the recordOctober 5, 2011
I rise today to submit a resolution recognizing May 16, 2012, as Hereditary Angioedema, HAE, Awareness Day. HAE is a rare and potentially life threatening genetic disease which impacts between 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 50,000 Americans. HAE is characterized by severe swelling throughout the body, including the digestive tract and airways. The swelling caused by episodes of HAE is both very painful and can cause sufferers to asphyxiate when the swelling impacts the airways. To date there is only one Food and Drug Administration approved treatment for HAE, but this treatment is only effective in about a third of patients afflicted with this devastating disease. It is clearly evident that more research is needed to combat this terrible disease. On May 16, 2012, an international conference on HAE will be convened in Copenhagen, Denmark to discuss issues relating to HAE research, treatments, and awareness. The American component of this conference will be spearheaded by the U.S. Hereditary Angioedema Association, USHAEA, based in my home state of Hawaii. USHAEA is an organization that provides education, support, funding for research, and a voice to HAE patients, their families, healthcare providers and the general public at large. I urge my colleagues to support this important resolution and help find a cure for HAE. ____________________
