Washington, D.C. (July 26, 2007) – The Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis (CPF) announced today the passage of important legislation that recognizes the need for research into the cause of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a deadly lung disease with no known cause, no FDA-approved treatment, or cure. Senate Concurrent Resolution 42 (S. Con. Res. 42) recognizes the CPF’s National IPF Awareness Week and raises the importance of the urgent need to identify viable treatments and an eventual cure for IPF, a disease that is becoming alarmingly more prevalent in the United States.

“The passage of this resolution in the Senate demonstrates that support is growing for the thousands of Americans who are fighting IPF,” said Mark Shreve, chief executive officer of the Coalition for Pulmonary Fibrosis.. “This is an important step toward increasing awareness of a lethal disease that the average American has never heard of until they or someone they love receives the diagnosis.”

IPF is a devastating lung disorder that causes progressive and irreversible scarring in the lungs, and is ultimately fatal. The only treatment to improve survival is a lung transplant, yet most patients don’t survive long enough to get one. The average life expectancy for IPF patients is just three years. Every 13 minutes, someone dies from pulmonary fibrosis in the U.S.

The concurrent resolution, introduced by U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman (R-MN) and co-sponsored by Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), further affirms Congress’ support for the goals and ideals of National IPF Awareness Week, sponsored by the CPF and scheduled to take place Sept. 22-29, 2007 in Washington, D.C. . The House version authored by Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA) was introduced on July 12.

The legislation represents an important step for the IPF cause for several reasons:

• It advocates for patients who suffer from IPF. In the past five years, IPF prevalence and incidence has increased 156 percent; yet there remains no FDA approved treatment to combat this deadly disease, and research funding remains unacceptably low.
• It creates the foundation on which all future legislation involving IPF may be based.
• It defines the challenges facing the IPF community in the Congressional Record.
• It becomes a permanent vehicle for educating Members of Congress.
• It will lead to greater public awareness of IPF.
• It will initiate a dialog in Congress to increase attention and funding given to the deadly disease that kills 40,000 Americans each year, as many as claimed by breast cancer.

"Pulmonary fibrosis is a devastating illness that affects over a hundred thousand Americans," said Sen. Durbin. "I hope our efforts can raise the profile of those who suffer and dramatically increase research into the diagnosis and treatment of this disorder. The tireless work of advocates on this issue deserves the recognition we are giving it today."

“This legislation serves as an incredible endorsement for the work of the CPF and its volunteers in representing the IPF community in Washington,” added Shreve. “We’re grateful to the Members of Congress who share our hope and commitment to this cause, and we are excited to increase dialog to help our patients and researchers around the country.”