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1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

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

 

 

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1the disease; and
 
2    WHEREAS, Multiple sclerosis symptoms occur when an immune
3system attack affects the myelin in nerve fibers of the central
4nervous system, damaging or destroying it and replacing it with
5scar tissue, thereby interfering with or preventing the
6transmission of nerve signals; and
 
7    WHEREAS, In rare cases, multiple sclerosis is so
8progressive 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
11Illinois and its Gateway Area Chapter join with other national,
12state, and regional multiple sclerosis organizations to
13celebrate Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week during one week in
14March every year; and
 
15    WHEREAS, The mission of the National Multiple Sclerosis
16Society, Greater Illinois and its Gateway Area Chapter is to
17increase opportunities for cooperation and provide greater
18opportunity to leverage the effective use of resources for the
19benefit of the multiple sclerosis community; and
 
20    WHEREAS, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week was created to

 

 

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1invite people to join the movement to end multiple sclerosis,
2encourage everyone to do something to demonstrate their
3commitment to moving toward a world free of multiple sclerosis,
4and acknowledge those who have dedicated their time and talent
5to help promote multiple sclerosis research and programs; and
 
6    WHEREAS, This year, Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Week is
7recognized during the week of March 7 through March 13, 2011;
8therefore, be it
 
9    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
10NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
11we show our support for the goals and ideals of Multiple
12Sclerosis Awareness Week; and be it further
 
13    RESOLVED, That we encourage the citizens of this State to
14support the goals and ideals of Multiple Sclerosis Awareness
15Week and commend the efforts of all who support its goals and
16ideals; and be it further
 
17    RESOLVED, That we recognize and reaffirm our commitment to
18combating multiple sclerosis by promoting awareness about its
19causes and risks and by promoting new education programs,
20supporting research, and expanding access to medical
21treatment; and be it further
 

 

 

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