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.
P1 1WHEREAS, Parkinson’s disease impacts one million people in
2the United States and its prevalence is expected to rise in parallel
3with increasing life expectancy, with projections estimating a 100
4percent increase in the number of people affected by 2030; and
5WHEREAS, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive
6neurodegenerative condition most commonly characterized by
7motor symptoms such as tremor and rigidity. Patients also suffer
8from nonmotor symptoms, such as sleep disturbances and
9depression, all of which can significantly affect the patient’s daily
10activities and motor functions; and
11WHEREAS, Life expectancy is reduced for all onset ages, with
12disease progression leading to severe disability and possible
13confinement to a wheelchair or a bed; and
14WHEREAS, Although treatments are initially effective in
15treating symptoms, 50 to 90 percent of patients develop motor
P2 1complications, such as “wearing off,” early morning akinesia,
2delayed response, suboptimal response or no response, freezing
3episodes, and dyskinesias; and
4WHEREAS, Caring for Parkinson’s disease patients is a task
5that becomes increasingly complex and demanding as the severity
6of the disease progresses, until caring for the patient becomes the
7caregiver’s main or almost only activity, resulting in significant
8caregiver burden; and
9WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of
10the realities of life with Parkinson’s disease will allow the
11community at large to better support people who struggle with the
12challenges of this debilitating condition; and
13WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the
14Parkinson’s Action Network, and the Parkinson’s Disease
15Foundation are nonprofit organizations; and
16WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the
17Parkinson’s Action Network, and the Parkinson’s Disease
18Foundation have joined together to promote Parkinson’s disease
19awareness and support, including improved education, knowledge,
20research, and treatment; and
21WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the
22Parkinson’s Action Network, and the Parkinson’s Disease
23Foundation are urging patients and their supporters, health care
24providers, and the general public to demonstrate that they care by
25sharing the road patient’s walk, the facts about Parkinson’s disease,
26and the ever growing awareness about the etiology of the disorder
27and potential treatments; and
28WHEREAS, The community’s focus on Parkinson’s disease
29and its impact on patients’ lives will help give hope for a better
30future for people with Parkinson’s disease; now, therefore, be it
31Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
32thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates the month of
33April 2014 as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, and urges
34all citizens to support the search for a cure and to assist those
35individuals and families who deal with this disabling disease on a
36daily basis; and be it further
37Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
38of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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