April 2024: Fabry Disease Awareness Month

WHEREAS, Fabry disease is a progressive, multisystem inherited disorder that causes children and adults to suffer many symptoms that diminish their quality of life and may lead to premature death due to heart attacks, strokes, and kidney failure; and,

WHEREAS, Fabry disease is caused by a deficiency of the lysosomal enzyme alpha-galactosidase A that results in harmful buildup of lipids in the body and cellular dysfunction; and,

WHEREAS, effective treatments are available, but the disease is often underdiagnosed, misdiagnosed, or not diagnosed until after irreversible organ damage occurs; and,

WHEREAS, Fabry disease is inherited in an X-linked manner, affecting approximately 1 in 40,000 to 60,000 males according to the National Institutes of Health. The incidence may be twice as common in females who typically experience milder symptoms; and,

WHEREAS, newborn screening has found higher than expected numbers of individuals with Fabry disease, likely due to the recognition of previously undiagnosed late-onset and variable forms of the disease; and,

WHEREAS, health care providers and families should be aware of Fabry disease symptoms and, if suspected, obtain biochemical or genetic testing that can detect the presence of this treatable disorder;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim April 2024 as Fabry Disease Awareness Month in Michigan.