Senate Concurrent Resolution 561

(As Adopted by Senate and House)

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION TO DESIGNATE MAY 17, 2018, AS "DIFFUSE INTRINSIC PONTINE GLIOMA (DIPG) AWARENESS DAY IN MISSISSIPPI."

WHEREAS, DIPG stands for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma. It is a type of high-grade glioma, a brain tumor that comes from cells called glia that surround, protect and otherwise support the nerve cells in the brain. DIPG is always found in the brainstem. This part of the brain controls many basic functions like breathing and swallowing, as well as muscles that help with speech and eye movements. It is most common in elementary school-aged children, but it can affect children of any age; and

WHEREAS, between 250 and 400 children in the United States are diagnosed with DIPG each year. DIPG tends to grow quickly, so most patients are diagnosed within three months of when their symptoms start; and

WHEREAS, the most common symptoms are: trouble with eye or face movements (often resulting in a lazy eye or facial droop), difficulty with movement on one side of the body, and/or problems speaking; and

WHEREAS, DIPG is diagnosed primarily with an MRI. DIPG can sometimes be diagnosed with an MRI alone. Other times, a neurosurgeon will biopsy the tumor by removing a piece of it to study under a microscope; and

WHEREAS, during the month of May, there is a national focus on childhood cancer and childhood brain tumors through the work of families and other foundations. Mississippi is most pleased to help increase public awareness of this deadly childhood cancer and commends the DIPG Foundation for its efforts to promote additional funding for research and education programs to help save lives of children diagnosed with DIPG:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby designate May 17, 2018, as "Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) Awareness Day in Mississippi" and encourage observance by all citizens.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be disseminated by the University Medical Center, the Blair Batson Children's Hospital, and the Mississippi State Department of Health, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.