HR0772 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0772 LRB103 40587 ECR 73188 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), known by many as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease that causes a person's brain to lose connection with their muscles, slowly taking away their ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe; and

WHEREAS, Every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS and someone passes away from ALS; and

WHEREAS, On average, patients diagnosed with ALS only survive two to five years from the time of their diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, Currently, there is no known cure for ALS; and

WHEREAS, People who have served in the military are more likely to develop and die from ALS than those with no history of military service; and

WHEREAS, Securing access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and communication technologies is of vital importance to people living with ALS; and

WHEREAS, Clinical trials play a pivotal role in evaluating new treatments, enhancing quality of life, and fostering assistive technologies for those living with ALS; and

WHEREAS, This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Ice Bucket Challenge, and it is fitting to make a renewed commitment to galvanize public awareness and support funding leading to significant investments in ALS research; and

WHEREAS, As the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research globally, the ALS Association has committed over $154 million to support more than 550 projects across the United States and 18 other countries; and

WHEREAS, The ALS community and researchers remain unwaveringly committed to accelerating the pace of discovery, fueled by the hope that one day ALS will be a livable disease for everyone, everywhere; and

WHEREAS, Observing ALS Awareness Month increases the public's awareness of the dire circumstances people with ALS face, acknowledges the terrible impact this disease has not only on the person but also on his or her family and community, and recognizes the research being done to eradicate this disease; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we declare the month of May 2024 as ALS Awareness Month in the State of Illinois; and be it further

RESOLVED, That we urge all Americans to join in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease.