Proclaim April 2024 to be Parkinson’s Awareness Month
Whereas, Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease and is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States; and
Whereas, The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson's disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson's today; and
Whereas, an estimated more than one million people in the United States are currently living with Parkinson’s disease, with an additional 90,000 individuals diagnosed annually; and
Whereas, it is estimated that Parkinson’s disease has a national economic burden of approximately $52 billion per year, with that cost estimated to rise to over $80 billion by 2037; and
Whereas, there is no known cure for Parkinson’s disease and available treatments are limited in their ability to address patients' medical needs and remain effective over time; and
Whereas, the City of Portland recognizes the efforts of The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research as it leverages its core values of optimism, urgency, resourcefulness, collaboration, accountability and persistence in problem-solving to work on behalf of the more than six million people worldwide living with Parkinson’s; and
Whereas, increased research, education and community support services are needed to find more effective treatments and to provide access to quality care to those living with the disease today.
Now, therefore, I, Ted Wheeler, Mayor of the City of Portland, Oregon, the “City of Roses,” do hereby proclaim April 2024, to be
Parkinson’s Awareness Month
In Portland and encourage all Portlanders to join in the observance of this month.