2005 Assembly Resolution 15
ENGROSSED RESOLUTION
Relating to: ALS Awareness Month.
Whereas, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), better known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a fatal progressive disorder that occurs when motor nerve cells in the central nervous system cease functioning and die; and
Whereas, the initial symptom of ALS is weakness of the skeletal muscles, especially those of the extremities; and
Whereas, as ALS progresses the patient experiences difficulty in swallowing, talking, and breathing; and
Whereas, ALS eventually causes muscles to atrophy and the patient becomes a functional quadriplegic; and
Whereas, ALS does not affect a patient's mental capacity, so that the patient remains alert and aware of his or her loss of motor functions and the inevitable outcome of continued deterioration and death; and
Whereas, ALS occurs in adulthood, most commonly between the ages of 40 to 70 years, with the peak age about 55 years, and affects men 2 to 3 times more often than women; and
Whereas, each year, over 5,000 people in the United States are diagnosed with this illness, for which there is no known cause or cure; and
Whereas, on average, patients diagnosed with ALS only survive 2 to 5 years from the time of diagnosis; and
Whereas, in the advanced stages, treatment for ALS can cost up to $200,000 per year, depleting the financial resources of patients and relatives; and
Whereas, the suffering of patients, along with the anguish and struggle of caregivers, must be supported and alleviated as much as possible; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the assembly, That the Wisconsin assembly proclaims May 2005 to be ALS Awareness Month in Wisconsin, and urges all citizens to become educated about ALS and to lend their aid to combating this disease.
