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SRES 549 ATS

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to childhood stroke and designating May 3, 2008, as `National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day'.

May 2, 2008

Mr. CASEY (for himself, Mr. CHAMBLISS, Mr. BINGAMAN, and Mr. ISAKSON) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

Expressing the sense of the Senate with respect to childhood stroke and designating May 3, 2008, as `National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day'.

Whereas a stroke, also known as a `cerebrovascular accident', is an acute neurologic injury that occurs when the blood supply to a part of the brain is interrupted by a clot in the artery or a burst of the artery;

Whereas a stroke is a medical emergency that can cause permanent neurologic damage or even death if not promptly diagnosed and treated;

Whereas 26 out of every 100,000 newborns and almost 3 out of every 100,000 children have a stroke each year;

Whereas an individual can have a stroke before birth;

Whereas stroke is among the top 10 causes of death for children in the United States;

Whereas 12 percent of all children who experience a stroke die as a result;

Whereas stroke recurs in 20 percent of children who have experienced a prior stroke;

Whereas the death rate for children who experience a stroke before the age of 1 year is the highest out of all age groups;

Whereas the average time from onset of symptoms to diagnosis of stroke is 24 hours, putting many affected children outside the window of 3 hours for the most successful treatment;

Whereas many children who experience a stroke will suffer serious, long-term neurological disabilities, including--

(1) hemiplegia, which is paralysis of 1 side of the body;

(2) seizures;

(3) speech and vision problems; and

(4) learning difficulties;

Whereas those disabilities may require ongoing physical therapy and surgeries;

Whereas the permanent health concerns and treatments resulting from strokes that occur during childhood and young adulthood have a considerable impact on children, families, and society;

Whereas very little is known about the cause, treatment, and prevention of childhood stroke;

Whereas medical research is the only means by which the citizens of the United States can identify and develop effective treatment and prevention strategies for childhood stroke;

Whereas early diagnosis and treatment of childhood stroke greatly improves the chances that the affected child will recover and not experience a recurrence; and

Whereas The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia should be commended for its initiative in creating the Nation's first program dedicated to pediatric stroke patients: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Senate--

(1) designates May 3, 2008 as `National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day'; and

(2) urges the people of the United States to support the efforts, programs, services, and advocacy of organizations that work to enhance public awareness of childhood stroke.