BILL NUMBER: ACR 139	INTRODUCED
	BILL TEXT


INTRODUCED BY   Assembly Member Ridley-Thomas

                        APRIL 22, 2014

   Relative to Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month.


	LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST


   ACR 139, as introduced, Ridley-Thomas. Parkinson's Disease
Awareness Month
   This measure would designate the month of April 2014 as Parkinson'
s Disease Awareness Month.
   Fiscal committee: no.



   WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease impacts one million people in the
United States and its prevalence is expected to rise in parallel with
increasing life expectancy, with projections estimating a 100
percent increase in the number of people affected by 2030; and
   WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurodegenerative
condition most commonly characterized by motor symptoms such as
tremor and rigidity. Patients also suffer from nonmotor symptoms,
such as sleep disturbances and depression, all of which can
significantly affect the patient's daily activities and motor
functions; and
   WHEREAS, Life expectancy is reduced for all onset ages, with
disease progression leading to severe disability and possible
confinement to a wheelchair or a bed; and
   WHEREAS, Although treatments are initially effective in treating
symptoms, 50 to 90 percent of patients develop motor complications,
such as "wearing off," early morning akinesia, delayed response,
suboptimal response or no response, freezing episodes, and
dyskinesias; and
   WHEREAS, Caring for Parkinson's disease patients is a task that
becomes increasingly complex and demanding as the severity of the
disease progresses, until caring for the patient becomes the
caregiver's main or almost only activity, resulting in significant
caregiver burden; and
   WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the
realities of life with Parkinson's disease will allow the community
at large to better support people who struggle with the challenges of
this debilitating condition; and
   WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the Parkinson's Action
Network, and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation are nonprofit
organizations; and
   WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the Parkinson's Action
Network, and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation have joined together
to promote Parkinson's disease awareness and support, including
improved education, knowledge, research, and treatment; and
   WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the Parkinson's Action
Network, and the Parkinson's Disease Foundation are urging patients
and their supporters, health care providers, and the general public
to demonstrate that they care by sharing the road patient's walk, the
facts about Parkinson's disease, and the ever growing awareness
about the etiology of the disorder and potential treatments; and
   WHEREAS, The community's focus on Parkinson's disease and its
impact on patients' lives will help give hope for a better future for
people with Parkinson's disease; now, therefore, be it
   Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates the month of
April 2014 as Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month, and urges all
citizens to support the search for a cure and to assist those
individuals and families who deal with this disabling disease on a
daily basis; and be it further
   Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of
this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.