[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 153 (Monday, September 25, 2017)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1256]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               CHILDREN'S CARDIOMYOPATHY AWARENESS MONTH

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                        HON. BILL PASCRELL, JR.

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, September 25, 2017

  Mr. PASCRELL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Children's 
Cardiomyopathy Awareness Month this month.
  Pediatric cardiomyopathy is a rare heart condition that affects the 
muscles of the heart in infants and children. According to the 
Pediatric Cardiomyopathy Registry, one in every 100,000 children under 
the age of 18 in the U.S. is diagnosed with cardiomyopathy. 
Approximately 40 percent of children with symptomatic cardiomyopathy 
undergo a heart transplant or die from cardiac complications within two 
years. Pediatric cardiomyopathy is a chronic disease that requires a 
comprehensive treatment approach.
  Based in Tenafly, New Jersey, the Children's Cardiomyopathy 
Foundation (CCF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to raising 
awareness of pediatric cardiomyopathy. CCF works to raise awareness of 
cardiomyopathy in children and provides resources and supports to 
families struggling with the diagnosis of cardiomyopathy in their young 
children. CCF aims to encourage better detection, prevention, and 
treatment for patients, and I thank them for these efforts. I invite my 
colleagues to join me in commending this organization for their 
lifesaving work.
  Last Congress, I introduced the Supporting Athletes, Families and 
Educators to Protect the Lives of Athletic Young Act, known as the SAFE 
PLAY Act, with Senator Bob Menendez of New Jersey. This legislation 
would provide school systems with resources to raise awareness for 
youth athlete safety, encourage the development of best practices to 
prevent, report, and address injuries, and educate teachers, students, 
and coaches on the risks of cardiomyopathy and other critical cardiac 
conditions. It would also allow students to learn CPR and how to use an 
automated external defibrillator (AED) to help prevent death in the 
event of sudden cardiac arrest. This legislation would increase school 
safety and help reduce the number of deaths from this condition on 
school property.
  Mr. Speaker, I would like my colleagues to take a moment and 
recognize the families struggling with having a child who suffers from 
this terrible disease, as well as the organizations working to provide 
them with the necessary support.

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