PRINTER'S NO. 754
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
SENATE RESOLUTION
No.
78
Session of
2015
INTRODUCED BY BOSCOLA, TEPLITZ, COSTA, FONTANA, FARNESE, MENSCH,
ALLOWAY, BREWSTER, DINNIMAN, HAYWOOD, KITCHEN, SCHWANK,
SMITH, WOZNIAK, AUMENT, BROOKS, EICHELBERGER, GREENLEAF,
RAFFERTY, WHITE AND VULAKOVICH, APRIL 15, 2015
INTRODUCED AND ADOPTED, APRIL 15, 2015
A RESOLUTION
Designating the month of April 2015 as "Parkinson's Disease
Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is believed to affect more than
one million people in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 20% of persons with Parkinson's
disease are under 50 years of age; and
WHEREAS, The cause of Parkinson's disease remains unclear,
but scientists believe that environmental factors trigger the
disease in people with a genetic susceptibility; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms of Parkinson's disease vary from person to
person and include tremor, slowness, difficulty with balance,
swallowing, chewing and speaking, rigidity, cognitive problems,
dementia, mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety,
constipation, skin problems and sleep disruptions; and
WHEREAS, Medications mask some symptoms of Parkinson's
disease for a limited amount of time each day, often with dose-
limiting side effects; and
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WHEREAS, Ultimately the medications and treatments lose their
effectiveness, generally after four to eight years, leaving the
person unable to move, speak or swallow; and
WHEREAS, Caring for Parkinson's disease patients is a task
that becomes increasingly complex and demanding as the severity
of the disease progresses, until caring for the patient becomes
the caregiver's main or almost only activity, resulting in
significant caregiver burden; and
WHEREAS, There is no cure, therapy or drug to slow or halt
the progression of Parkinson's disease; and
WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the
realities of life with Parkinson's disease will allow the
community at large to better support people who struggle with
the challenges of this debilitating condition; and
WHEREAS, Increased education and research are needed to help
find more effective treatments with fewer side effects and,
ultimately, an effective treatment or cure for Parkinson's
disease; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate designate the month of April 2015
as "Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month" in Pennsylvania.
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