World MS Day

WHEREAS, Multiple Sclerosis is a disabling neurological disease which can attack anyone at any stage of life; and

WHEREAS, this disease can cause impaired or double vision, slurred speech, numbness, loss of coordination, remarkable pain, gait issues and unusual fatigue; and

WHEREAS, this disease afflicts over 400,000 Americans and over 4,200 Alabamians; and

WHEREAS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has provided more than $410 million for biomedical research and academic grants during its half century of history; and

 

WHEREAS, Alabama is the site of one of the only six pediatric MS centers established by the National Multiple Sclerosis Society in the United States at Children’s Hospital of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society supplies a wide range of client services in the areas of health, education, information and referral, advocacy, knowledge and independence; and

WHEREAS, while research advances have brought us closer to finding a cure for, cause of and prevention of Multiple Sclerosis, much remains to be done and services must continue to be provided to those who live with the disease; and

WHEREAS, it is imperative that Alabamians are aware of and support the ongoing battle to rid our state, this country and the world of this disease through education, enlightenment and personal medical awareness; and

WHEREAS, World MS Day was launched on May 27, 2009 with over 200 events in 67 countries and is an opportunity to raise awareness about MS and to strengthen the network of people living with MS across the world; and

WHEREAS, Multiple Sclerosis is one of the most common disabling neurological conditions amongst young adults in the Northern Hemisphere with over 2,000,000 people in the world having MS; and

WHEREAS, the goals of World MS Day are to raise awareness and mobilize the global movement:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim May 25, 2011, as

World MS Day

in the State of Alabama to recognize the ongoing battle against this devastating disease and the important work of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Alabama Chapter.

 

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 21st day of April 2011.

 

      

Governor Robert Bentley