March-World Wide Parkinson's Disease Awareness MonthPROCLAMATION
WHEREAS, Parkinson's disease is a chronic progressive degenerative neurological
disorder of the central nervous system for which there presently is no cure; and
WHEREAS, as yet, no chemical, X-ray, study, blood, laboratory or clinical test can
provide a definitive diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, as much as 8o% of vital dopamine producing neutrons in the brain are
dead or grossly impaired before Parkinson's is detectible; and
WHEREAS, symptoms include extreme fatigue, tremors, difficulty with balance and
speaking, walking, swallowing, cognitive and memory problems; and
WHEREAS, although existing medications and therapies effectively treat the symptoms
for some Parkinson's patients in the early stages of the disease and allows them to cope with this
baffling and complex disease; and
WHEREAS, more education and research is needed to help find more effective
treatments with fewer side effects and ultimately a cure for Parkinson's; and
WHEREAS, according to the Northwest Parkinson Foundation, American Parkinson's
Disease Association, National Parkinson Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation, there
are over 1.5 million Americans diagnosed with Parkinson's and 5 million worldwide; and
WHEREAS, all citizens can be aware of this debilitating disease and offer friendship,
understanding, and hope to its victims;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Timothy C. Matthes, Mayor of the City of Port Orchard,
designates April as:
WORLD WIDE PARKINSON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH
in the City of Port Orchard and I encourage all employees and citizens of the City of Port
Orchard to join in participatiigll " .. " a� activities to support Parkinson's Disease education
and the funding of research,7W,�cure.
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Signed this 24th day of March 2015
� • w. O' w f i'TeT
o '. ?:' Timothy CAlatthes, Mayor
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