Rep. Farrah offered the following resolution:

House Resolution No. 426.

A resolution designating September 21 – 27, 2008, as Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.

Whereas, Mitochondria are the power plants in every cell of a person's body and create more than 90 percent of the energy needed by the body to sustain life and support growth; and

Whereas, Mitochondria may not function correctly due to genetic defects, damage caused by drugs or damage caused by destructive molecules called free radicals; and

Whereas, When mitochondria fail, cell injury and cell death follow, and if the process is repeated throughout the body to sustain life and support growth; and

Whereas, Mitochondrial diseases can cause isolated symptoms like seizures, low blood counts, blindness, deafness, dementia, heart failure and progressive muscle weakness, but more often they cause failure of several organ systems ins sequence; and

Whereas, Mitochondrial diseases can affect any person at any age; and

Whereas, It is estimated that more than one in 4,000 children born in the United States each year will develop a mitochondrial disease by 10 years of age; and

Whereas, Since mitochondrial disorders mimic other diseases, it is believed that they are under diagnosed; and

Whereas, Currently no cures or effective therapies exist, but early diagnosis can help patients and their families use proper medication and nutritional supplements to improve the quality of life, and even prolong life; and

Whereas, It is appropriate that all citizens of the state of Michigan be better informed about mitochondrial diseases and its impact; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body designate September 21 – 27, 2008, as Mitochondrial Disease Awareness Week in the state of Michigan.