June 6, 2019: Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day

WHEREAS, Transverse Myelitis is a disease with approximately 1,400 new cases diagnosed in the United States each year, but is not widely recognized by the general public as being a significant, serious spinal cord disease; and,

WHEREAS, Transverse Myelitis is a devastating condition which causes the spinal cord to become inflamed and may affect the neurological system as a whole and can occur as a single condition or in the presence of another illness; and,

WHEREAS, symptoms of Transverse Myelitis include back pain, numbness of the lower extremities, and headache; and as the condition progresses, paralysis, sensory loss, and bowel and bladder dysfunctional may occur; and,

WHEREAS, scientific research indicates that Transverse Myelitis affects three to four out of every one million people; and,

WHEREAS, although spinal cord injuries have been well publicized by the media, Transverse Myelitis is often overlooked by many medical professionals; and,

WHEREAS, recovering from Transverse Myelitis can be difficult, with only one-third of persons diagnosed with the disease making a full recovery; and,

WHEREAS, it is fitting and appropriate to recognize Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day in Michigan as an increased awareness of Transverse Myelitis will help accomplish improvements in diagnosis and further scientific research;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim June 6, 2019, as Transverse Myelitis Awareness Day in Michigan.