ACR 171, Wilk. Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Awareness Month.
This measure would declare September 2014 as Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Awareness Month.
WHEREAS, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is one of the most commonly inherited neurological disorders, affecting approximately 1 in 2,500 people in the United States and 2.6 million people worldwide; and
WHEREAS, CMT affects both motor and sensory nerves with symptoms that may include muscle weakness in the foot and lower leg, foot deformities, frequent tripping or falls, and muscle weakness in the hands; and
WHEREAS, CMT is one of 40 diseases covered by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, but unlike muscular dystrophy, in which the defect is in the muscles, CMT is a disorder in which the defect is in the nerves that control the muscles; and
WHEREAS, The onset of CMT symptoms typically begins in adolescence or early adulthood, but some individuals develop symptoms in mid-adulthood, with the severity of symptoms varying among individuals and pain ranging from mild to severe; and
WHEREAS, Although physical therapy, occupational therapy, and moderate physical activity are beneficial in treating CMT, and sometimes CMT is surgically treated, currently there is no cure for CMT; and
WHEREAS, The Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association is dedicated to supporting the development of new drugs to treat CMT in order to improve the quality of life of people with CMT, and ultimately, to find a cure for this disease; and
WHEREAS, Dedicating a month to increase awareness of CMT, its symptoms and the obstacles faced by individuals and families affected by the disorder would be highly beneficial; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That September 2014 be declared Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease Awareness Month; and be it further
Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.
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