AJR38,1,32 Whereas, gastroschisis is a birth defect that causes the intestines to protrude
3from the abdomen and is rapidly increasing in incidence; and

AJR38,1,54 Whereas, 1 in 2,229 individuals are born with gastroschisis in the United States
5annually; and

AJR38,1,96 Whereas, many Americans living with gastroschisis have serious and
7debilitating conditions that have a significant impact on their lives, including but not
8limited to failure to thrive, slow growth, the need for multiple organ transplants, and
9long-term feeding issues; and

AJR38,1,1310 Whereas, individuals and families affected by gastroschisis often experience
11problems such as a sense of isolation, difficulty in obtaining an accurate and timely
12diagnosis, few treatment options, and problems related to accessing or being
13reimbursed for treatment; and

AJR38,2,3

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1Whereas, the cause of gastroschisis is relatively unknown, and patients and
2their families must bear a large share of the burden for things such as raising funds
3for research; and

AJR38,2,54 Whereas, an official awareness day proclamation is often the precursor to
5funding for research and other avenues of support; and

AJR38,2,86 Whereas, Avery's Angels Gastroschisis Foundation is organizing a nationwide
7observance of Gastroschisis Awareness Day on July 30, 2013, and every year
8thereafter; and

AJR38,2,129 Whereas, Avery John Rauen, the son of the founder of Avery's Angels, passed
10away from complications of his gastroschisis on July 30, 2009, at the University of
11North Carolina-Chapel Hill hospital, and this date is to commemorate him and all
12others living with or deceased from gastroschisis; now, therefore, be it