Senators Warren, Rocca, Knezek, Bieda, Ananich, Hood, Gregory, Young, Hopgood, Emmons and Marleau offered the following concurrent resolution:

            Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 31.

            A concurrent resolution to urge the United States Congress as well as the state of Michigan to increase funding for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma research.

            Whereas, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a fatal brain cancer affecting 200 to 400 school-aged children in the United States each year. The most resistant to chemotherapy of all cancers, DIPG tumors grow into parts of the brain stem that control the functions necessary for life. Tragically, it is highly aggressive and inoperable; and

            Whereas, Although cancer is the number one killer of children in the United States, funding focused on pediatric cancer comprises only a small percentage of federal investment in cancer research. Funding has continued to decline primarily due to statistics that indicate an 80% cure rate. The data, however, is misleading and does not consider cancers like DIPG that have not experienced advances in cure rates; and

            Whereas, Current research into a cure for DIPG needs additional funding to advance the efforts already undertaken. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is supporting the study of drugs that may be used to treat DIPG. Their efforts provide a glimmer of hope in the search for new treatments for this disease that is stealing young lives; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate (the House of Representatives concurring), That we urge the Congress of the United States as well as the state of Michigan to increase funding for Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma research; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.