August 2019: Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month

WHEREAS, muscular dystrophy is not a single disease or disorder that affects everyone the same way, as there are nine different types of this disease; and,  

 

WHEREAS, all muscular dystrophies result in progressive muscle weakness, from mild muscle weakness to complete paralysis of all voluntary muscles including those used for breathing and/or swallowing; and,

 

WHEREAS, about 250,000 people in the United States are affected by two most common types of muscular dystrophy; and,

 

WHEREAS, muscular dystrophy strikes people regardless of race, sex, age or ethnicity; and,

 

WHEREAS, research has yielded more new drugs to treat four types of muscular diseases, Duchenne, Spinal Muscular Atrophy, Myasthenia Gravis, and Lou Gehrig’s - ALS; and,

 

WHEREAS, raising public awareness of these diseases will continue to facilitate the discovery of treatments and cures, as well as bring much needed funding for support and services for those affected by muscular and neuromuscular diseases; and,

 

WHEREAS, Light it Up Green for MD (muscular dystrophy) is a campaign created by a mother of a child with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, dedicated to increasing awareness in communities around the country about nine muscular and 43 neuromuscular diseases; and,

 

WHEREAS, Muscular Dystrophy Awareness / Light it Up Green for MD Month is a special opportunity to educate the public about muscular dystrophy and issues in the muscular dystrophy community;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim August 2019 as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month and Light it Up Green for MD Month in Michigan.