Rep. Pettigrew pushes for action on sickle-cell anemia

April 14, 2007

OLYMPIA – Scientists know what causes sickle-cell anemia, says Rep. Eric Pettigrew (D-Seattle) –and now it’s a matter of mustering the support necessary to find a cure.

“Two million Americans carry the sickle-cell gene,” said Pettigrew. “And if you’re unlucky enough to have this disease, your life expectancy is an average of 40 years. We have the knowledge and science to find a cure. It’s time to do it.”

Pettigrew introduced a resolution in the House of Representatives about sickle-cell anemia, which typically affects people of African, Mediterranean and Middle-Eastern ancestry but also affects Caucasians.

One copy of the gene offers protection against malaria. Two copies, however, causes sickle-cell anemia.

“Some people say this problem is too big,” Pettigrew said. “That we can’t solve it. But I believe Washington state can help lead the way to a cure. We’re home to some of the best scientists and bio-tech companies in the world. For all the people who carry this gene and worry about their kids getting it – or who suffer from sickle-cell anemia themselves – it’s our duty to do something to help.”

The House passed the resolution unanimously.

Text of House Resolution ~ Rep. Pettigrew's Floor speech for the Resolution

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WHEREAS, Sickle cell anemia is a hereditary disorder that most affects people of African ancestry, but also occurs in other ethnic groups, including people of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern descent; and
WHEREAS, More than 70,000 Americans have sickle cell anemia, and about 2 million Americans and one in 12 African-Americans have sickle cell trait; and
WHEREAS, People with sickle cell anemia have inherited two sickle cell genes, one from each parent; a child who has inherited the sickle cell from only one parent will not develop the disease, but will have sickle cell trait; people who have sickle cell trait do not have sickle cell anemia or symptoms of the disease, but they can pass the sickle cell gene to their own children; and
WHEREAS, Because people with sickle cell trait do not have the disease, they may never discover that they carry the gene; teens who are unsure of their sickle cell status should ask their doctors about testing; the National Institutes of Health recommends that all newborns be screened for sickle cell disease, and testing at birth is now required in most states; this helps infants with sickle cell anemia get the care and treatment they need as soon as possible; and
WHEREAS, Normal red blood cells are smooth and round like doughnuts and they move easily through blood vessels to carry oxygen to all parts of the body; in sickle cell anemia, the red blood cells change shape; they become hard, sticky, and shaped like sickles or crescents and, instead of moving through the bloodstream easily, these sickle cells can clog blood vessels and deprive the body's tissues and organs of the oxygen they need to stay healthy; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms include anemia, pain when sickle-shaped red blood cells block the flow of blood to an organ, fatigue, jaundice, eye problems, infections, acute chest syndrome (similar to pneumonia), leg ulcers, strokes, and gallstones; and
WHEREAS, One in every 12 African-Americans have the sickle cell trait versus one in every 413 Caucasians; one in every 500 African-Americans have the sickle cell disease, the highest incidence of any group; although there is still no cure for sickle cell anemia, improved medical procedures, innovative pharmaceuticals, and increased knowledge have made life longer, less stressful, and less painful for persons afflicted with the disease;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize the Metropolitan Seattle Sickle Cell Anemia Task Force for its important contribution in educating the citizens of the state of Washington about the serious health problem of sickle cell anemia.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

How many good members of this chamber are over the age of 40?

That’s how long you can expect to live, if you have sickle-cell anemia.

This isn’t a disease you get from something you control.

It’s not from smoking or eating too much. You’re born with it.

And you die because of it.

So it’s not often that we have resolutions like this,

dealing with life and death.

What I want to accomplish today, by speaking about this issue,

isn’t to persuade you to vote yes.

I don’t doubt that this resolution will pass.

I can’t remember the last time a resolution failed.

What I hope to do is to raise my voice – and all of our voices –

to unite behind the effort to beat this disease.

A disease that far too many of our citizens suffer from.

A disease that my wife carries in her genes.

Because if we work together, we can beat it.

Washington state is home to some of the best scientists in the world.

Home to some of the top bio-tech companies.

They’re working on ways to attack genetic diseases like sickle-cell anemia.

There are men and women who carry this gene who don’t marry

– or can’t have kids – because they both carry the sickle-cell gene.

There are mothers and fathers shocked to learn that their baby has this disease.

I believe lawmakers from both parties and every corner of this state

would do anything they could to prevent this disease.

So I hope my words make a difference.

I hope our action today on this floor helps the cause.

For all the mothers and fathers and children hurt by this disease,

I hope.

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