July 30, 2019: Gastroschisis Awareness Day

WHEREAS, about 1 in 2000 Michigan babies each year is born with gastroschisis, in which the intestines are outside of the body; and,

 

WHEREAS, many children living with gastroschisis have health issues that impact their daily lives, such as slow growth and long-term feeding problems; others face additional serious challenges, such as short bowel syndrome and multiple organ transplants; and,

 

WHEREAS, individuals and families affected by gastroschisis often feel a sense of isolation, encounter difficulty in obtaining an accurate and timely diagnosis, have few treatment options, and face problems accessing or being reimbursed for treatment; and,

 

WHEREAS, the cause of gastroschisis is unknown, birth prevalence rates of gastroschisis are increasing, and patients and their families must bear a large share of the burden for endeavors such as raising funds for research; and,

 

WHEREAS, hundreds of residents of Michigan are among those affected by gastroschisis; and,

 

WHEREAS, an official Awareness Day proclamation calls attention to the need for public health tracking, research, and other avenues of support for affected people and their families; and,

 

WHEREAS, Avery John Rauen, the founder of Avery’s Angels’ son, died from complications of gastroschisis on July 30, 2009, and this date is to commemorate him and all others living with or deceased from gastroschisis; and,

 

WHEREAS, Avery’s Angels Gastroschisis Foundation (AAGF) is organizing a nationwide observance of Gastroschisis Awareness Day on July 30, 2019;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim July 30, 2019, as Gastroschisis Awareness Day in Michigan.