RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2025 AS "PARKINSON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF THE DELAWARE.

Legislation Document

SPONSOR:

Sen. Buckson & Rep. Yearick

Sens. Hansen, Hocker, Huxtable, Mantzavinos, Pettyjohn, Seigfried, Sokola; Reps. Gray, Harris, Morrison, Ortega, Ross Levin, Vanderwende

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

153rd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 34

RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF APRIL 2025 AS "PARKINSON'S DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF THE DELAWARE.

WHEREAS, Parkinson’s disease (“PD”) is a chronic and progressive disease that affects the nervous system and is

the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the symptoms of PD can include tremors, slowed movement, rigid muscles, impaired posture and balance, loss of automatic movements, writing changes, and speech changes; and

WHEREAS, according to the Parkinson’s Clinic at the University of Delaware, approximately 2,000 Delawareans were diagnosed with PD in 2024; and

WHEREAS, there are more than 8.5 million people living with PD worldwide; and

WHEREAS, the cost of PD is estimated to be nearly $52 billion each year in the United States and is expected to rise to $80 billion annually by 2037; and

WHEREAS, the average cost of medication is $2,500 per person per year, and surgery can cost up to $100,000 per person; and

WHEREAS, the Parkinson’s Foundation estimates that nearly one million people in the U.S. are living with PD, which is more than the combined number of people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and Lou Gehrig’s disease (or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a figure that is expected to rise to 1.2 million by 2030; and

WHEREAS, the cause of PD is unknown and there is no current cure for the disease; and

WHEREAS, the Parkinson’s Foundation works each April to raise awareness about the disease; and

WHEREAS, the Parkinson Foundation has invested more than $425 million in PD research and clinical care since 1957; and

WHEREAS, increased public awareness, early diagnosis, expanded research, and accessible care are critical to improving the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s disease and ultimately finding a cure.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 153rd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that April 2025 is recognized as “Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month” in the State of Delaware.

SYNOPSIS

This Resolution recognizes April 2025 as "Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month" in the State of Delaware.

Author: Senator Buckson