U.S. Senate Designates September 2017 as Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month

September 28, 2017

Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month received official recognition as the United States Senate unanimously voted to declare September 2017 Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month. Senator Christopher Coons (D-DE) introduced the resolution in the Senate and Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID), Christopher Murray (D-CT), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and Orrin Hatch (R-UT) were co-sponsors. Pulmonary Fibrosis Advocates, a patient advocacy organization, spearheaded the effort.

The passing of this resolution provides an important platform for increasing awareness about pulmonary fibrosis. In addition to designating September as Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month, the resolution affirms support for pulmonary fibrosis research. It also recognizes the contributions of patients diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis who participate in clinical trials to advance knowledge in the field. Finally, the resolution commends the contribution of organizations dedicated to helping pulmonary fibrosis patients and their families.

The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation (PFF) is the nation’s leading pulmonary fibrosis (PF) advocacy organization. Bill Schmidt, President and CEO of the PFF, said, “It is a crucial step that the Senate has recognized the contributions of patient advocacy groups that are fighting for individuals with all forms of pulmonary fibrosis. This is a very important measure to raise awareness about PF. We thank Senators Coons, Crapo, Murphy, Klobuchar, and Hatch for their work on behalf of the pulmonary fibrosis community."