Verocardiofacial Syndrome Awareness Day

WHEREAS, Verocardiofacial Syndrome (VCFS) is a genetic condition that causes many physical changes to the body, such as the formation of distinct facial features, and can lead to heart, bone and immune system disorders; and

WHEREAS, symptoms of VCFS may include cleft palate, heart complications, learning difficulties, poor eyesight, middle-ear infections, seizures resulting from low levels of parathyroid hormone, low resistance to infection, weak muscles, scoliosis and low calcium levels; and

WHEREAS, VCFS can be diagnosed based on a physical exam and the presence of standard symptoms. A blood test called FISH (Fluorescence in situ hybridization) can be done and more detailed genetic tests are possible, but rare because they require much more sophisticated laboratory techniques; and

WHEREAS, the key to progress in the battle against VCFS is awareness:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim November 22, 2014, as

Verocardiofacial Syndrome Awareness Day

in the state of Alabama.