THOMPSON, KILEY, MILLER INTRODUCE TRIPARTISAN RESOLUTION DESIGNATING MAY 17TH AS NECROTIZING ENTEROCOLITIS AWARENESS DAY

Washington - Today, Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Kevin Kiley (I-CA-03), and Carol Miller (R-WV-01) introduced a tripartisan resolution to designate May 17^th as Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day. Necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) is a dangerous and deadly medical condition that often impacts infants born prematurely or with medical complications.

"NEC often strikes in the first weeks and months of a child's life, quickly turning what should be a happy time for families into a nightmare," said Rep. Thompson. "I'm honored to introduce this resolution to raise awareness for NEC and promote the importance of continued medical research and support for families impacted by this devastating disease."

"With no known single cause, it is important that we raise awareness for necrotizing enterocolitis, a dangerous and life-threating condition that impacts infants in the most precious stages of their lives. I am proud to join Congressman Thompson in introducing this bipartisan resolution that brings attention to this disease and supports research with the goal of finding a cure," said Rep. Kiley.

"I am thrilled to be joining Congressman Thompson in establishing Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day to shine a light on the devastating disease that strikes our most vulnerable - newborns. NEC is a frightening, often life-threatening condition, that no family should have to face without adequate support and resources. Raising awareness is essential to driving the medical research that will one day spare other families this heartbreak. We must continue to stand together and bring real hope to all those affected by this disease," said Congresswoman Miller.

Davis resident, Jennifer Canvasser, founded the Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Society after her son, Micah, died from complications of the disease. The NEC Society operates out of Davis and through Jennifer's leadership, the organization has become the world's leading NEC-focused nonprofit.

"When my son, Micah, tragically died from necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), our family was not only devastated but also isolated and alone to navigate the lifelong heartache caused by this cruel disease. After Micah's passing, I founded the NEC Society to advance research, education, and advocacy for a world without NEC. On behalf of the families, clinicians, and scientists working tirelessly to protect babies like Micah, we are deeply grateful for Congressman Thompson's leadership and support as we raise awareness about the urgent need to accelerate science so we can prevent NEC," said Jennifer Canvasser.

NEC is a dangerous intestinal inflammatory disease that can affect premature or otherwise medically fragile infants. Upon diagnosis, many babies have only hours or days before their intestines become necrotic, which can progress to sepsis, multisystem organ failure, and death. NEC is a complex, multifactorial disease with no single cause, no clear etiology, no cure, and no known way to eliminate the risks of NEC for medically fragile infants.