Representative Kevin Kiley & Mike Thompson Introduce Resolution Designating May 17 as Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day

WASHINGTON – Today Representative Kevin Kiley (R-CA) and Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA) introduced a bipartisan 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. 

“Necrotizing enterocolitis is an extremely dangerous condition that threatens the early stages of life during their infancy. I am pleased to join Representative Thompson in introducing this bipartisan resolution to promote NEC awareness and support research that will protect young families and save the lives of many infants across the country,” said Rep. Kiley.

“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.”

“My family and I founded the Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) Society after our son Micah tragically died from the disease just before his first birthday. After we lost Micah, we realized there was not a single nonprofit organization bringing the community together to accelerate research and improve the field’s ability to prevent, diagnose, and treat NEC. NEC devastates more families every day, and we desperately need more awareness and resources dedicated to prevention. We are so grateful to Congressman Thompson and Congressman Kiley for recognizing the urgent need to protect infants from this cruel neonatal disease,” said Jennifer Canvasser, Founder and Executive Director of the NEC Society.

BACKGROUND:

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.

###