[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 8] [Extensions of Remarks] [Page 11741] [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]HONORING EMD SERONO FOR RECEIVING A GOLD MEDAL AS A LAUREATE OF THE COMPUTER WORLD HONORS PROGRAM ______ HON. WILLIAM D. DELAHUNT of massachusetts in the house of representatives Thursday, June 5, 2008 Mr. DELAHUNT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor EMD Serono, headquartered in Rockland, Massachusetts. On June 2nd they were chosen to be the recipient of the prestigious Gold Medal award as a Laureate of the Computerworld Honors Program for their EasyPod Device. This is in addition to earlier recognition by the Medical Design Excellence Awards for this breakthrough technology. Established in 1988, The Computerworld Honors Program brings together the principals of the world's foremost information technology companies to recognize and document the achievements of the men, women, organizations and institutions around the world whose visionary applications of information technology promote positive social, economic and educational change. It is the longest running global program to honor individuals and organizations that use information technology to benefit society. EMD Serono's EasyPod was selected based on 10 criteria including use of information technology, originality of its conception, the breadth of its vision, and the significance of its benefit to society. This device administers a medication called Saizen to children requiring growth hormone therapy and then monitors their compliance to the treatment schedule for physicians. It is a first of its kind device in this treatment area and an example of the innovation that EMD Serono and other biopharmaceutical companies in Massachusetts develop every year. Growth deficiency occurs when the body is unable to release or produce adequate amounts of the appropriate hormones. In children, growth deficiency causes slow growth, and without treatment, studies have shown that 18-20 percent of school children who have growth problems have academic problems, at more than 4 times the rate of normal statured counterparts. It is estimated that 10,000 to 15,000 children in the United States have growth failure. EMD Serono has a long history in Massachusetts of providing for the unmet needs of patients. Through regular innovative breakthroughs, the company is a leader in not only growth deficiency, but also multiple sclerosis, HIV, and infertility. They not only offer the products for physicians to use, but also provide 24 hour call centers to work with doctors and patients supporting their course of therapy. They also offer robust patient assistance programs and free product to assist families in overcoming financial barriers to treatment. Congratulations to the employees of EMD Serono for this achievement and the work you do every day to help physicians and patients. ____________________