Whereas, Kawasaki Disease (Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome) is an acute febrile illness with inflammation of small and medium-sized blood vessels throughout the body, in particular, the coronary arteries; and,

Whereas, Kawasaki Disease is named for Dr. Tomisaku Kawasaki, a Japanese physician, who first described the illness in 1967; and,

Whereas, Kawasaki Disease mainly affects children under the age of four years but can affect any age child or adult, with it affecting people in all racial and ethnic groups and approximately 3,000-4,000 children are diagnosed with the disease in the United States each year; and,

Whereas, An accurate diagnosis and timely treatment are important in that Kawasaki Disease is the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children; and,

Whereas, Due to the rarity of Kawasaki Disease and the lack of awareness of the illness and its dangerous effects, children are often diagnosed late of misdiagnosed; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 5, 2005, as Kawasaki Disease Awareness Day in Michigan and I encourage all parents to become educated and made aware of this potentially fatal illness and its effects.