ACR 139, as amended, 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
P1 1with increasing life expectancy, with projections estimating a 100
2percent increase in the number of people affected by 2030; and
3WHEREAS, Parkinson’s disease is a progressive
4neurodegenerative condition most commonly characterized by
5motor symptoms such as tremor and rigidity. Patients also suffer
6from nonmotor symptoms, such as sleep disturbances and
7depression, all of which can significantly affect the patient’s daily
8activities and motor functions; and
9WHEREAS, Life expectancy is reduced for all onset ages, with
10disease progression leading to severe disability and possible
11confinement to a wheelchair or a bed; and
12WHEREAS, Although treatments are initially effective in
13treating symptoms, 50 to 90 percent of patients develop motor
14complications, such as “wearing off,” early morning akinesia,
15delayed response, suboptimal response or no response, freezing
16episodes, and dyskinesias; and
17WHEREAS, Caring for Parkinson’s disease patients is a task
18that becomes increasingly complex and demanding as the severity
19of the disease progresses, until caring for the patient becomes the
20caregiver’s main or almost only activity, resulting in significant
21caregiver burden; and
22WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of
23the realities of life with Parkinson’s disease will allow the
24community at large to better support people who struggle with the
25challenges of this debilitating condition; and
26WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the
27Parkinson’s Action Network, and the Parkinson’s Disease
28Foundation are nonprofit organizations; and
29WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the
30Parkinson’s Action Network, and the Parkinson’s Disease
31Foundation have joined together to promote Parkinson’s disease
32awareness and support, including improved education, knowledge,
33research, and treatment; and
34WHEREAS, The National Parkinson Foundation, the
35Parkinson’s Action Network, and the Parkinson’s Disease
36Foundation are urging patients and their supporters, health care
37providers, and the general public to demonstrate that they care by
38sharing the road patient’s walk, the facts about Parkinson’s disease,
39and the ever growing awareness about the etiology of the disorder
40and potential treatments; and
P3 1WHEREAS, The community’s focus on Parkinson’s disease
2and its impact on patients’ lives will help give hope for a better
3future for people with Parkinson’s disease; now, therefore, be it
4Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate
5thereof concurring, That the Legislature designates the month of
6April 2014 as Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month, and urges
7all citizens to support the search for a cure and to assist those
8individuals and families who deal with this disabling disease on a
9daily basis; and be it further
10Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies
11of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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