Funding for U research studying IPF gains support among lawmakers
Congressman Erik Paulsen, R-Minn., visited U of M labs to learn more about research focused on a deadly lung disease called idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Paulsen is the lead sponsor of a House bill that would fund a national pulmonary fibrosis registry.
Paul Fogelberg, an IPF patient-advocate receiving treatment at the University, arranged for Paulsen’s visit through the Pulmonary Fibrosis Advocates—a group pushing for legislation that will impact people with IPF, including keeping current funding levels. “That’s the only hope we’ve got,” he says.
University physician-researcher Craig Henke, M.D., Fogelberg’s doctor and principal investigator on a project studying IPF, says that educating people about the prevalence of IPF is the key to continuing to grow support for research. “It’s more common than breast cancer,” he says of IPF. “Trying to raise awareness is important.” Learn more about his work to fight IPF.
