HomeMy WebLinkAbout12-079RESOLUTION NO. 12-079
A RESOLUTION PROCLAIMING THE MONTH OF MAY 2012 AS
"AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) AWARENESS MONTH"
IN ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie County, Florida, has made the
following determinations:
1. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, is a progressive
neurodegenerativedlsease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
2. The early symptoms of ALS include weakness of the skeletal muscles, especially involving
the arms and legs, and difficulty in swallowing, talking, and breathing.
3. ALS eventually causes muscles to atrophy, and the patient becomes a functional
quadriplegic.
4. ALS does not affect a patient's mental capacity; therefore, the patient remains alert and
aware of his or her loss of motor functions and the inevitability of continued
deterioration and death.
5. On average, patients diagnosed with ALS survive only two to five years afterthe diagnosis.
6. Research indicates that military veterans are TWICE as likely to develop ALS than those
who have not served in the military.
7. ALS has no known cause, means of prevention, or cure.
8. The designation of an "Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month" will increase
awareness regarding the circumstances of ALS patients and the terrible impact this
disease has not only on the patient but on the patient's family and the larger community
and will support the goals of research on ALS, which are to find the cause or causes of ALS,
understand the mechanisms involved in the progression of the disease, and develop
effective treatment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of St. Lucie
County, Florida:
1. This Board does hereby proclaim the month of May 2012 as "AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL
SCLEROSIS (ALS) AWARENESS MONTH" in St. Lucie County, Florida.
PASSED AND DULY ADOPTED this 1St day of May, 2012.
ATTEST:
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D CLERK
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ST. LUCIE COUNTY, FLORIDA
BY:
CHAIRMAN
APPROVED AS TO LEGAL FORM AND
CORRECTION: ,,
COUNTY A'