Rare diseases

WHEREAS, There are nearly 7,000 diseases and conditions 1
considered rare (each affecting fewer than 200,000 Americans) in the 2
United States, according to the National Institutes of Health; and3
WHEREAS, While each of these diseases may affect small numbers of 4
people, rare diseases as a group affect 25,000,000-30,000,000 5
Americans and 750,000 Washingtonians; and 6
WHEREAS, Many rare diseases are serious and debilitating 7
conditions that have a significant impact on the lives of those 8
affected; and 9
WHEREAS, The Food and Drug Administration has approved drugs and 10
biologics for more than 880 rare disease indications, but millions of 11
Americans still have rare diseases for which there is no approved 12
treatment; and 13
WHEREAS, Individuals and families affected by rare diseases often 14
experience problems such as diagnosis delay, difficulty finding a 15
medical expert, and lack of access to treatments or ancillary 16
services; and 17
WHEREAS, While the public is familiar with some rare diseases and 18
sympathetic to those affected, many patients and families affected by 19
less widely known rare diseases bear a large share of the burden of 20
funding research and raising public awareness to support the search 21
for treatments; and 22
SENATE RESOLUTION
8622
By Senator Fortunato
p. 1 8622
WHEREAS, Thousands of residents of Washington are among 1
those affected by rare diseases since nearly one in 10 Americans 2
has a rare disease; and 3
WHEREAS, The Orphan Drug Act has encouraged and promoted the 4
discovery and development of biopharmaceuticals designed to 5
treat and even cure rare diseases; and 6
WHEREAS, Many of the world-leading academic institutions, 7
academic medical centers, biotech companies, and pharmaceutical 8
companies conducting research and seeking cures for rare 9
diseases are doing so in Washington; 10
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington state 11
Senate commend the endeavor of finding cures for rare diseases 12
and encourage all Washingtonians to recognize the struggle of 13
those afflicted and their families and commit to a future of 14
hope through compassionate care for our neighbors and scientific 15
discovery. 16
I, Sarah Bannister, Secretary of the Senate, 17
do hereby certify that this is a true and 18
correct copy of Senate Resolution 8622, 19
adopted by the Senate 20
February 27, 2025 21
SARAH BANNISTER 22
Secretary of the Senate 23
p. 2 8622