[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 132 (Tuesday, October 18, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2116]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 CALLING ATTENTION TO CUSHING'S DISEASE

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 18, 2005

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to draw both the House and 
the Nation's attention to Cushing's disease: a disease that 
debilitates, degenerates, and devastates the lives of 10 to 15 million 
people a year.
  Yet despite the grievous nature of this disease, it has gained little 
attention from the general public as well as medical advocates across 
the country.
  Cushing's disease is caused by the body's overproduction of cortisol, 
the hormone that serves a number of imperative functions such as sugar 
break down, metabolism regulation, inflammation reduction, maintenance 
of blood pressure and cardiovascular function, and regulation of the 
body's response to stress.
  Unfortunately, the severity of the disease is also coupled with a 
high degree of unfamiliarity with its symptoms among victims and 
doctors alike. These circumstances prove highly dangerous as it is 
frequently misdiagnosed.
  This illness comes in various yet equally grievous forms in which its 
myriad of symptoms are easily confused with other diseases, conditions, 
and disorders. Some of the most commonly experienced symptoms include 
rapid weight gain, central obesity, moon face, weakness, fatigue, 
backache, headache, increased urination, impotence, neuropsychological 
disorders, muscle atrophy, stretch marks, osteoporosis, high blood 
pressure, and uncontrolled diabetes.
  Failure to properly and aggressively treat Cushing's disease quickly 
can lead to fatal consequences.
  Recently, Ms. Stephanie Womack-Gilchrist, my constituent in the 8th 
District of New Jersey, shared with me the story of her excruciating 
battle with this rare and relatively unknown disease. She has endured a 
7-year battle with the illness in which she subsequently experienced 
sporadic hospitalization, comas, seizures, and a miscarriage.
  Additionally, she was diagnosed with diabetes, suffered from 
depression, broke both feet due to the severity of her osteoporosis, 
developed a tumor on her pituitary, and had to endure radiation 
treatment. Her symptoms baffled various doctors and specialists for 3 
years before her original internist identified her affliction as 
Cushing's disease. Yet, despite this horrific ordeal, Stephanie has 
persevered.
  This resilient woman contacted me in an effort to raise awareness 
about Cushing's Disease. And I stand here today to educate my 
colleagues on the severity of this disease in order to help her and 
others suffering from this disease to promote a wide-spread 
understanding of it.
  After enduring the absolute havoc that Cushing's wreaked on her life, 
Ms. Womack-Gilchrest has allied herself with the organization, 
Cushing's Understanding Support Help (CUSH). This organization is 
leading the charge in raising the level of public awareness about this 
debilitating disease.
  Their website provides comprehensive information about the causes, 
symptoms, and consequences of Cushing's Disease, and strives to promote 
a wide understanding of all the elements of this illness. It also 
provides information on ways to reach out to patients and their 
families and offers a Chat Night every Wednesday.
  In addition, CUSH posts opportunities to participate in symptoms 
studies and various other medical research. They also have an 
interactive message board on which they post international events, 
recent news, biographies of CUSH founders and patients, and relevant 
web casts and video footage, among other things. Such efforts work to 
not only inform and support those with the affliction, but to globally 
implement a much needed, education campaign.
  It is our duty as the legislative leaders of this Nation to respond 
to all those who are and who will be affected by Cushing's.
  I urge Congress to recognize the detrimental effects of this 
agonizing illness and emphatically encourage my colleagues to help 
promote awareness and understanding of Cushing's Disease.

                          ____________________