I would like to bring a life altering issue to your attention - newborn screening. For years, thousands of children have died and thousands more have become permanently disabled because they were not screened for all possible diseases at birth. Although some progress has been made, this issue still exists today.

Newborn screening is essential in identifying diseases that are not clinically recognizable at birth. My heart breaks for children who are born in California and not given a fair chance at a healthy life...

You can prevent the future children born in our state from needlessly suffering and dying young by supporting AB 1559, an amendment to the current Newborn Screening laws in CA to add Adrenoleukodystrophy, or ALD.

Like many diseases, treatment for ALD is only effective when administered before the child is symptomatic. Cord blood transplantation has proven for many to be life saving treatment that can give children with ALD the potential for a healthy life - something many children never had.

I very much appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you soon on this important issue.

For more information about Leukodystrophies and Newborn Screening, please visit www.myelin.org.