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PROPOSED RESOLUTION
ACKNOWLEDGING MAY AS AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS (ALS) AWARENESS MONTH IN COOK COUNTY
WHEREAS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease affecting nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, resulting in loss of muscle control; and
WHEREAS, ALS often begins with muscle weakness or stiffness and progresses to difficulty speaking, swallowing, and breathing, ultimately leading to paralysis; and
WHEREAS, ALS impacts individuals, families, caregivers, and communities, often requiring continuous care in later stages; and
WHEREAS, ALS affects individuals across all racial, ethnic, gender, and socioeconomic groups and can impact adults of any age; and
WHEREAS, the cause of ALS is unknown in approximately 90 percent of cases, while about 10 percent are inherited and linked to genetic factors; and
WHEREAS, individuals diagnosed with ALS typically survive two to five years from diagnosis, and most die from respiratory failure; and
WHEREAS, the period between onset of symptoms and diagnosis often exceeds one year, underscoring the need for increased awareness and earlier detection; and
WHEREAS, tens of thousands of individuals in the United States are living with ALS, with more than 5,000 new cases diagnosed each year, or approximately 15 cases per day; and
WHEREAS, on average, every 90 minutes an individual is diagnosed with ALS and another dies from the disease; and
WHEREAS, individuals who have served in the military are approximately twice as likely to develop ALS compared to those who have not served; and
WHEREAS, ALS has no known cure, and access to therapies, clinical trials, medical equipment, and communication technologies is essential to improving quality of life; and
WHEREAS, ALS Association provides care services, equipment, advocacy, and research support for individuals living with ALS and their families; and
WHEREAS, Amyotrophic L...
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