[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 144 (Thursday, September 11, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1767]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       THE BONE MARROW FAILURE DISEASE RESEARCH AND TREATMENT ACT

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                          HON. DORIS O. MATSUI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 11, 2008

  Ms. MATSUI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce the Bone Marrow 
Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act. For hundreds of thousands 
of bone marrow failure disease patients across our country, this is a 
day filled with the promise of a cure.
  For their families, this is a day infused with the hope that the 
power of medical inquiry and research can conquer these deadly 
diseases.
  For those of us in this chamber who knew, respected, and loved 
colleagues whose lives were taken by these diseases--including my late 
husband Bob--this is a day to reflect on their legacies and to renew 
our commitment to the research that will generate treatments and cures.
  For medical researchers with ideas about new and innovative ways to 
combat these awful diseases, this is a day characterized by the 
certainty that the U.S. House of Representatives stands with them in 
their quest to beat bone marrow failure diseases.
  The legislation I am introducing today is designed to ensure that 
families in the future will not have to suffer the agonizing 
uncertainty that my family endured when Bob was diagnosed with 
myelodysplastic syndrome, MDS.
  Between 20,000 and 30,000 families receive a bone marrow failure 
disease diagnosis every year in the United States. Their lives are 
changed instantly when they learn that a loved one's bone marrow has 
malfunctioned.
  Blood is such a delicate balance of different kinds of cells, and 
when the marrow that produces our blood stops working properly, the 
foundation of a human's physical health is sorely undermined. Death is 
often the end result.
  The research produced by this bill will point the way toward a future 
where a diagnosis of aplastic anemia, MDS, acute myeloid leukemia, or 
any of the other bone marrow failure diseases is but a hurdle to 
overcome instead of a likely death sentence.
  This is the future that I envision as a result of the Bone Marrow 
Failure Disease Research and Treatment Act.
  I thank all of my colleagues in this chamber who have supported, and 
who will support, this critical legislation. I look forward to working 
toward its passage, for the sake of bone marrow failure disease 
patients in every city, town, and community in our great country.

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