[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 81 (Thursday, May 17, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E675]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              RECOGNIZING MAY AS GBS/CIDP AWARENESS MONTH

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                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 17, 2018

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the month of 
May as GBS/CIDP Awareness Month. Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) is an 
inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nerves outside the brain and 
spinal cord and is characterized by the rapid onset of numbness, 
weakness, and often paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and 
face. Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy (CIDP) is a 
rare disorder of the peripheral nerves characterized by gradually 
increasing sensory loss and weakness associated with loss of reflexes. 
The number of new cases per year of CIDP is about 1-2 per 100,000 
people, but can be as high as 9 per 100,000 in some areas.
  Founded by Estelle Benson, the GBS/CIDP Foundation International is 
the preeminent global non-profit organization supporting individuals 
and their families affected by Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), chronic 
inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and related syndromes 
such as multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) through a commitment to, 
education, research, and advocacy. I know first-hand the importance of 
the foundation's work; two of my daughters and a granddaughter have 
contracted Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS). The foundation provided us, 
as it does with all patients, a critical community of medical 
specialists and survivors and their families to ensure that all three 
were given the best treatment and could recover as quickly as possible.
  Tonight, Estelle is being honored by The National Organization for 
Rare Disorders (NORD) with the Abbey S. Meyers Leadership Award on 
behalf of the Foundation for their continued dedication to supporting 
patients with GBS, CIDP and related conditions. I call on my colleagues 
to join me in congratulating Estelle Benson and recognizing the work of 
the GBS/CIDP Foundation International on behalf of patients and their 
families

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