SAN FRANCISCO, CA (PRWEB) FEBRUARY 29, 2016
Today at the State Capitol, the California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) participated in an event recognizing Feb. 29 as Rare Disease Day in California as acknowledged in Senate Concurrent Resolution 108, authored by Senator Bill Monning (D - Carmel) and co-authored by Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian (R – San Luis Obispo). The resolution highlights the families and healthcare professionals caring for millions of Californians living with nearly 7,000 rare diseases. CLSA is the leading voice for California’s life sciences sector that serves more than 750 biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics companies, research universities and institutes, investors and service providers.
“CLSA strongly encourages research and development efforts dedicated to advancing new treatments, tests and technologies for patients suffering from rare diseases,” said Sara Radcliffe, California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) President & CEO. “Rare Disease Day serves as a vital reminder that while significant progress has been made, our work must continue to raise awareness for those in need of timely and accurate diagnosis and adequate treatment options. CLSA and our member companies are dedicated to working closely with policymakers and stakeholders to advance initiatives that strengthen scientific innovation in California. We thank Senator Monning and Assemblymember Achadjian for their leadership in raising awareness of rare diseases in California.”
“Today we pay tribute to patients and families living with rare diseases, as we recognize the challenges they continue to face,” said Senator Bill Monning. “It is crucial that we find ways to help patients in need and that all stakeholders work together to find new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures that ease the suffering of patients and reduce the prevalence of rare diseases.”
“Rare Disease Day recognizes the critical role patients and their caregivers play in calling attention to the public health issues associated with rare diseases, which affect 30 million people in the United States,” said Assemblymember Katcho Achadjian. “While many innovators continue to bring treatments into the pipeline, it is essential that sound public policy is created to support those with rare diseases.”
California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) President & CEO Sara Radcliffe made remarks at the ceremony on the Capitol Steps, which was co-sponsored by CLSA. The event was designed to raise awareness of rare diseases, and was attended by a wide range of key stakeholders including patient advocates, caregivers, legislators, advocacy groups and more.
Click here to view the Senate resolution.
About California Life Sciences Association (CLSA)
California Life Sciences Association (CLSA) is the leading voice for California’s life sciences sector. We work closely with industry, government, academia and other stakeholders to shape public policy, drive business solutions and grow California’s life sciences innovation ecosystem. CLSA serves over 750 biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical device, and diagnostics companies, research universities and institutes, investors and service providers. CLSA was founded in 2015 when the Bay Area Bioscience Association (BayBio) and the California Healthcare Institute (CHI) merged to create the state’s most influential life sciences advocacy and business leadership organization. Visit CLSA at http://www.califesciences.org, and follow us on Twitter @CALifeSciences, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
