X

New York State Assembly passes resolution declaring April Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month

Posted 4/17/17

The New York State Assembly recently passed a resolution to declare April Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month. About 1 million Americans have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and a new …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

New York State Assembly passes resolution declaring April Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month

Posted

The New York State Assembly recently passed a resolution to declare April Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month.

About 1 million Americans have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease and a new diagnosis is made every 9 minutes in the United States alone. Parkinson's disease is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by motor problems including slowness of movement, rigidity, and tremor. Balance and gait problems may occur later in the course of illness. Common non-motor symptoms of PD include sleep problems, constipation, anxiety, depression, and fatigue, among others. There currently is no cure, according to a news release from Assemblywoman Addie Jenne, D-Theresa. She was one of the bill’s sponsors.

“Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month helps put a spotlight on the debilitating disease to help find better ways to prevent and detect the progressive neurological condition, providing effective care for the disease, and ultimately finding a cure,” Jenne said in the release.

She has sponsored this resolution each year since 2012, and for the second year, she welcomed members of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) to Albany to be introduced on the floor of the Assembly and to be present for the passage of the resolution. For more than 55 years, APDA has led the charge as the nation’s largest grassroots organization serving the needs of those touched by Parkinson’s by providing the support, education and research to help people impacted by Parkinson’s live life to the fullest.

“APDA is working hard to bring as much attention to this disease as possible, to educate more people about the symptoms so they know what to look for and what to do if diagnosed, and make sure people know we are here for them during their Parkinson’s journey,” states Leslie A. Chambers, President and CEO, American Parkinson Disease Association. “Simultaneously, we fund promising research by experienced and young scientists who are at the forefront of the investigations into PD” Chambers continued. “The awareness Assemblywoman Jenne is bringing to this issue is invaluable and we’re so thankful to have her as an advocate in the fight against PD.”

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) is the largest grassroots network dedicated to fighting Parkinson’s disease (PD) and works tirelessly to assist the more than 1 million Americans with PD live life to the fullest in the face of this chronic, neurological disorder.

Founded in 1961, APDA has raised and invested more than $170 million to provide outstanding patient services and educational programs, elevate public awareness about the disease, and support research designed to unlock the mysteries of PD and ultimately put an end to this disease. To join us in the fight against Parkinson’s disease and to learn more about the support APDA provides nationally through its network of chapters and information and referral (I&R) centers, as well as its national research program and Centers for Advanced Research, please visit www.apdaparkinson.org.