IV 112th CONGRESS 2d Session H. RES. 652 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES May 10, 2012 Mr. Baca submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce RESOLUTION Recognizing the need to pursue research into the causes, a treatment, and an eventual cure for rhab­do­myo­sar­coma, supporting the goals and ideals of the Claire Frick Rhabdomyosarcoma Awareness Month, and for other purposes.

Whereas rhabdomyosarcoma is a disease in which cancerous cells form in the muscle tissue, and is the most common type of sarcoma found in the soft tissues of children; Whereas rhabdomyosarcoma is a type of sarcoma, which is a cancer of the soft tissue (such as muscle), connective tissue (such as tendon or cartilage), and bone; Whereas rhabdomyosarcoma usually begins in the muscles that are attached to bones and assist with body movement; Whereas there are 3 main types of rhabdomyosarcoma—embryonal (occurring in the head and neck area or in the genital or urinary organs), alveolar (occurring in the arms or legs, chest, abdomen, or genital or anal areas), and anaplastic (rarely occurs in children); Whereas Claire Frick was only 16 years old when she was diagnosed with stage 4 alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma and lost her battle with the disease on March 1, 2012; Whereas Claire Frick fought alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma for 20 months, while continuing to sing in her school choir, participate with speech team debates, travel across the country, and maintain excellent grades which placed her among the top in her class, and endured 35 rounds of chemotherapy, 58 days of radiation, 70 days in the hospital, 7 surgeries, several MRIs, PET scans, bone scans, and bone marrow biopsies; Whereas the onset for rhabdomyosarcoma is more common in children, but adults also have been diagnosed with this type of cancer, and its causes are not known; Whereas certain genetic conditions increase the risk of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma, and a possible sign of the disease is a lump or swelling that continues to enlarge; Whereas rhabdomyosarcoma is a rare disease, yet accounts for several hundreds of deaths each year; Whereas the National Cancer Institute dedicates $9,387,370 in grants for rhabdomyosarcoma, which is 4.8 percent of total research funds for childhood cancer, $195,529,112; and Whereas the month of December 2012 would be an appropriate time to recognize Claire Frick Rhabdomyosarcoma Awareness Month in order to educate communities across the Nation about rhabdomyosarcoma and the need for research funding, accurate diagnosis, and effective treatments: Now, therefore, be it

That the House of Representatives— (1)recognizes the need to pursue research into the causes, treatment, and an eventual cure for rhabdomyosarcoma; (2)commends those hospitals, community clinics, educational institutes, and other organizations that are— (A)working to increase awareness of rhabdomyosarcoma; and (B)conducting research for methods to help patients suffering from rhab­do­myo­sar­coma; (3)supports the designation of an appropriate time to recognize Claire Frick Rhabdomyosarcoma Awareness Month; and (4)calls upon the people of the United States to observe the month with appropriate programs and activities.