[Congressional Record Volume 159, Number 18 (Wednesday, February 6, 2013)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E113]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




       IMPORTANCE OF FUNDING IN MEDICAL RESEARCH FOR EPITHELIOID 
                HEMANGIOENDOTHELIOMA AND OTHER DISEASES

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                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWKSY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, February 6, 2013

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to discuss the importance 
of funding medical research for epithelioid hemangioendothelioma and 
other diseases. Epithelioid hemangioendothelioma, known simply as EHE, 
is a rare cancer affecting both men and women of all ages, causing 
disability, pain, and often death. The disease causes tumors in the 
endothelium, often affecting numerous organs at a time.
  A study done by the American College of Chest Physicians states that 
EHE most often affects the lungs, liver, and bones, or a combination of 
these organs. Moreover, the disease causes a range of symptoms 
including pain, upper respiratory infections, bone fractures, weakness, 
and fatigue. The study also cites that while EHE is more common in 
women, men are more likely to die from it.
  Currently, there is no effective treatment for EHE. The American 
College of Chest Physicians study states that EHE does not respond to 
chemotherapy and radiation as well as other cancers, causing many 
sufferers of the disease to resort to surgeries and organ transplants 
to try to relieve EHE's painful symptoms.
  My constituent, Isaac Weinberg, is currently suffering from EHE. 
Because there is no cure for the disease, Isaac must have a liver 
transplant to alleviate some of the pain caused by it. Cutting medical 
research funding and limiting access to affordable healthcare would 
only hurt Isaac and other people suffering from EHE, as well as those 
suffering from other diseases.
  However, providing funding for medical research would not only help 
those with EHE, but people with other diseases, as well. EHE is a 
sarcoma, a type of cancer that is very common. Therefore, research for 
EHE would be beneficial in finding effective treatments and cures for 
many different cancers and diseases, potentially helping thousands of 
people.
  I want to thank my constituent and Isaac's father, Dr. Guy Weinberg, 
for establishing the Center for Research and Analysis of Vascular 
Tumors. CRAVAT provides desperately-needed research money dedicated to 
learning more about EHE. However, we cannot rely on private efforts 
alone. Federal funding is necessary if we are to make significant 
advances in discovering ways to treat, cure, and eliminate EHE and 
other diseases.
  Mr. Speaker, I rise to bring awareness to this important cause. 
Cutting medical research funding will hurt thousands of Americans 
suffering from diseases both rare and common, and we cannot allow that 
to happen. Instead, we must provide the crucial funding needed to 
research EHE and other diseases, allowing us to find cures, save lives, 
and help families like the Weinbergs.

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