Reps. Irwin, Zemke, Driskell, Santana, Robinson, Pagan, Hoadley, Dianda, Gay-Dagnogo, Chang, Cochran, Faris, Hovey-Wright, Howrylak, Hughes, Kelly, Lauwers, LaVoy, Moss, Sarah Roberts, Schor, Singh and Wittenberg offered the following resolution:

            House Resolution No. 348.

            A resolution to declare September 26, 2016, as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Awareness Day in the state of Michigan.

            Whereas, Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) is a fatal form of brain cancer affecting 200 to 400 school-aged children in the United States each year; and

            Whereas, DIPG tumors grow into the parts of the brain stem that control the functions necessary for life and are thus inoperable; and

            Whereas, Unlike with many other pediatric cancers, there has been little progress in improving treatments and cure rates for DIPG over the last few decades, such that the five-year survival rate for DIPG is less than 1 percent; and

            Whereas, DIPG is one of the most resistant of all cancers to chemotherapy treatments and

the causes of DIPG are unknown; and

            Whereas, Chad Carr, the 5-year-old son of Tammi and Jason Carr of Ann Arbor, Michigan, died of DIPG on November 23, 2015. Chad, being the grandson of both former University of Michigan football coach Lloyd Carr and former University of Michigan All-American defensive back Tom Curtis, and son of Jason Carr, former University of Michigan quarterback, galvanized not only the football program but also the whole state of Michigan around his fight with DIPG. Chad Carr would have celebrated his 6th birthday on September 26, 2016; and

            Whereas, Chad’s mother, Tammi, along with her husband, Jason, took it upon themselves in the midst of their family tragedy to create the ChadTough Foundation to spread awareness and news about DIPG, increase research efforts, and raise money to support research into DIPG and pediatric brain tumors. The 14-month struggle Chad and his family endured following his DIPG diagnosis has inspired the public to donate more than $1 million to pediatric cancer research through the ChadTough Foundation and the ChadTough Fund at University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital; and

            Whereas, Chad inspired even famed football rivals University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Ohio State University to work together to support DIPG awareness. As representatives and leaders of all Michiganders, it should be incumbent upon us to carry on the fight against DIPG for Chad’s family and all those affected by the disease;  now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives, That the members of this legislative body declare September 26, 2016, as Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma Awareness Day in the state of Michigan. We urge increased public awareness and increased funding for research into the prevention and cure of this deadly childhood disease.