R 156
2021 -- S 0752
Enacted 03/30/2021

S E N A T E   R E S O L U T I O N
DESIGNATING APRIL OF 2021, AS "PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

Introduced By: Senator Jessica de la Cruz
Date Introduced: March 30, 2021

     WHEREAS, Every April, global communities around the world recognize and support
Parkinson's Awareness Month in order to raise awareness for this devastating disease. The theme
of this year's event is "Start a Conversation, a call to action that urges people to talk about
Parkinson's with their loved ones, friends, neighbors, care team and community"; and
     WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease and is the
second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, second only to Alzheimer's
disease. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it is the 14th leading cause
of death in the United States; and
     WHEREAS, Nationally, Parkinson's disease is estimated to affect between 500,000 and
1,000,000 people with 50,000 to 60,000 new cases diagnosed each year. That number is expected
to more than double by 2040, making support for the Parkinson's disease community even more
important; and
     WHEREAS, Although research suggests Parkinson's disease results from a combination
of genetic and environmental factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease are still
unknown and as of January 2021, there is no objective test or biomarker with which to diagnose
the disease; and
     WHEREAS, Symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person to person and include
tremor, slowness, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, and speaking, rigidity, cognitive
problems, dementia, mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, constipation, skin problems,
and sleep disruptions; and
     WHEREAS, Millions of individuals in the United States are greatly impacted by
Parkinson's disease, including the caregivers, family members, and friends of individuals living
with the disease; and
     WHEREAS, Currently, there is no known cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of
Parkinson's disease, and available treatments are limited in their ability to address the medical
needs of patients; and
     WHEREAS, Increased education and research are needed to help find more effective
treatments with fewer side effects and to ultimately find an effective treatment or cure for
Parkinson's disease; now, therefore be it
     RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims April, 2021,
to be "Parkinson's Awareness Month"; and be it further
     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Parkinson Disease Association
Rhode Island Chapter.
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LC002594
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