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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis can impact men and women of all
3 ages, races, and ethnicities; and
 
4     WHEREAS, More than 20,000 Illinoisans live with multiple
5 sclerosis; and
 
6     WHEREAS, Someone is diagnosed with multiple sclerosis
7 every hour of every day; and
 
8     WHEREAS, It is estimated that 8,000 to 10,000 children and
9 adolescents nationwide are living with multiple sclerosis; and
 
10     WHEREAS, The exact cause of multiple sclerosis is still
11 unknown; and
 
12     WHEREAS, The symptoms of multiple sclerosis are
13 unpredictable and vary from person to person; and
 
14     WHEREAS, There is no laboratory test available for multiple
15 sclerosis that precisely defines a diagnosis; and
 
16     WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis is not genetic, contagious, or
17 directly inherited, but studies show that there are genetic
18 factors that indicate certain individuals are susceptible to

 

 

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1 the disease; and
 
2     WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis symptoms occur when an immune
3 system attack affects the myelin in nerve fibers of the central
4 nervous system, damaging or destroying it and replacing it with
5 scar tissue, thereby interfering with or preventing the
6 transmission of nerve signals; and
 
7     WHEREAS, In rare cases, multiple sclerosis is so
8 progressive that its effects are fatal; and
 
9     WHEREAS, There is no known cure for multiple sclerosis; and
 
10     WHEREAS, The National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater
11 Illinois and its Gateway Area Chapter join with other national,
12 state, and regional multiple sclerosis organizations to
13 celebrate Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during one week in
14 March every year; and
 
15     WHEREAS, The mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis
16 Society, Greater Illinois and its Gateway Area Chapter is to
17 increase opportunities for cooperation and provide greater
18 opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for the
19 benefit of the multiple sclerosis community; and
 
20     WHEREAS, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week was created to

 

 

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1 invite people to join the movement to end multiple sclerosis,
2 encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate their
3 commitment to moving toward a world free of multiple sclerosis,
4 and acknowledge those who have dedicated their time and talent
5 to help promote multiple sclerosis research and programs; and
 
6     WHEREAS, This year, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is
7 recognized during the week of March 8 through March 14, 2010;
8 therefore, be it
 
9     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10 NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we
11 show our support for the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis
12 Awareness Week; and be it further
 
13     RESOLVED, That we encourage the citizens of this State to
14 support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
15 Week and commend the efforts of all who support its goals and
16 ideals; and be it further
 
17     RESOLVED, That we recognize and reaffirm our commitment to
18 combating multiple sclerosis by promoting awareness about its
19 causes and risks and by promoting new education programs,
20 supporting research, and expanding access to medical
21 treatment; and be it further
 

 

 

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1     RESOLVED, That we recognize all people in Illinois living
2 with multiple sclerosis, express our gratitude to the family
3 members and friends who are a source of love and encouragement
4 to them, and salute the health care professionals and medical
5 researchers who provide assistance to those affected by
6 multiple sclerosis and continue to work to find cures and
7 improve treatments.