WHEREAS it is the intention of the Mayor and Council of Cherry Hill Township to focus attention on noteworthy occasions and individuals; and
WHEREAS the month of April is recognized nationally as Parkinson’s Awareness Month. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease, the second-most-common neurodegenerative disease in the U.S., and the 14th-leading cause of death in the U.S., making it a critical public health concern; and
WHEREAS Parkinson’s currently affects an estimated 1 million people in the United States, a number that is expected to more than double by 2040; and
WHEREAS increased research, education and community support services are needed in order to improve treatment options and provide access to quality care to those living with the disease today; and
WHEREAS it is estimated that the annual economic burden of Parkinson’s disease is over $26.4 billion per year, and indirect costs to patients and family members total $6.3 billion; and
WHEREAS research suggests the cause of Parkinson’s disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, but the exact cause in most individuals is still unknown and there currently is no objective test, or biomarker, to diagnose Parkinson’s disease; and
WHEREAS there is no known cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of the disease, and available treatments are limited in their ability to address patients' medical needs and remain effective over time; 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; and
WHEREAS Cherry Hill’s Fox Rehabilitation offers a monthly support group for individuals with Parkinson’s and their families, an important resource for those struggling with this terrible disease in our own community.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, CHUCK CAHN, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Mayor of the Township of Cherry Hill, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, do hereby proclaim the month of April 2019 to be
Parkinson's Awareness Month
in the Township of Cherry Hill and do urge all citizens to join with me and the members of Township Council in helping to spread awareness of the signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease throughout our community, and in thanking the organizers of the Fox Rehab Parkinson Support Group for their continued efforts to this end.
