ON May 16, 2012, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution (S. Res. 286) recognizing May 16, 2012, as Hereditary Angioedema (HAE) Awareness Day. The resolution, offered by Senator Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-Georgia), was the result of a year-long political advocacy effort to generate recognition of the significant need for increased professional education regarding HAE

HAE is a rare and potentially fatal genetic disorder, and to highlight the need for further research aimed at improving diagnosis and treatment options for patients. HAE is a very rare and potentially life-threatening genetic condition that occurs in about 1 in 10,000 to 1 in 50,000 people. HAE symptoms include episodes of edema (swelling) in various body parts including the hands, feet, face and airway.