A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO RECOGNIZE may 2026 AS "ALS Awareness Month" IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

 

Whereas, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease in which a person's brain loses connection with their muscles, slowly reducing the person's ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe; and

 

Whereas, thousands of new ALS cases are reported every year, and estimates show that every ninety minutes, someone is diagnosed with and passes away from ALS. On average, patients diagnosed with ALS survive only two to five years from the time of diagnosis. The exact causes of ALS are unknown and there is no known cure for the disease; and

 

Whereas, people who have served in the military are more likely to develop ALS and die from the disease than those with no history of military service; and

 

Whereas, securing access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and communication technologies is of vital importance to people living with ALS. Clinical trials play a pivotal role in evaluating new treatments, enhancing quality of life, and fostering assistive technologies for those living with ALS; and

 

Whereas, the ALS Association is the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research globally and has committed more than one hundred fifty-four million dollars to support more than five hundred fifty projects across the United States and eighteen other countries. The ALS Association is committed to making ALS livable and cure it for everyone, everywhere; and

 

Whereas, ALS Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase public awareness about the dire circumstances of people living with ALS, acknowledge the terrible impact the disease has on those individuals and their families, and support research to eradicate this disease.  Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the Senate:

 

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, recognize May 2026 as "ALS Awareness Month" in South Carolina.

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