May 2024: ALS Awareness Month

WHEREAS, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known by many as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, making even the simplest movements—walking, speaking, and gesturing—difficult; and,

WHEREAS, approximately 5,000 people are diagnosed with ALS each year, with a new diagnosis every 90 minutes; and,

WHEREAS, according to the University of Michigan, the Midwest has the highest prevalence of ALS in the nation, and rates in Michigan have almost doubled over the last 10 years; and,

WHEREAS, ALS strikes people regardless of race, ethnicity, or social status, and currently has no known cause, means of prevention, or cure, making diagnosis difficult; and,

WHEREAS, ALS is 100% fatal and has few treatments to improve quality of life; and,

WHEREAS, finding the causes and cure for ALS will prevent the disease from robbing hundreds of thousands of Americans of their dignity and lives; and,

WHEREAS, on average, patients diagnosed with ALS only survive two to five years from the time of diagnosis; and,

WHEREAS, people who have served in the military are approximately twice as likely to develop ALS, leading to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs recognizing ALS as a service-connected disease; and,

WHEREAS, ALS Awareness Month raises awareness of the dire circumstances faced by those with ALS, acknowledges the terrible impact this diagnosis has on affected individuals, their families, and the community, and recognizes the importance of continued research to eradicate this disease;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 2024 as ALS Awareness Month in Michigan. This month, the State of Michigan joins ALS patients and advocates in spreading awareness and embracing hope that advancements in science and medicine will soon lead to a deeper understanding of the disease, new treatments to enhance quality of life, and a cure.