May 01, 2026
WHEREAS, Huntington's disease is a progressive degenerative neurological disease; and,
WHEREAS, an estimated 30,000 people in the United States have the disease, another 35,000 people exhibit symptoms and 75,000 people carry the abnormal gene that will cause them to develop the disease; and,
WHEREAS, each child of a parent with Huntington's disease has a 50 percent chance of inheriting the Huntington's disease gene; and,
WHEREAS, Huntington's disease typically occurs in mid-life, between the ages of 30 and 50, though onset has been known to occur in children as young as 2 years of age; and,
WHEREAS, the average lifespan after the onset of Huntington's disease is 10-20 years; and,
WHEREAS, the younger the age of onset, the more rapid the progression of the disease, resulting in children who develop the juvenile form of the disease rarely living to adulthood; and,
WHEREAS, since the discovery of the gene that causes Huntington's disease in 1993, the pace of Huntington’s disease research has accelerated; and,
WHEREAS, scientists across the nation are conducting important research into Huntington's Disease, which at present has no effective treatment or cure; and,
WHEREAS, it is critical to the success of research and support services to raise awareness in the general public and the medical community about Huntington's disease; and,
WHEREAS, people are encouraged learn more about the Huntington’s Disease Society of America’s Michigan Chapter, and to have a conversation with their primary care provider with questions and concerns;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Gretchen Whitmer, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 2026 as Huntington's Disease Awareness Month in Michigan.
