Designates April 11 of each year as "World Parkinson's Day" in NJ.

AJR179

ASSEMBLY JOINT RESOLUTION

No. 179

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

222nd LEGISLATURE

�

INTRODUCED MAY 7, 2026

Sponsored by:

dAssemblywoman� AURA K. DUNN

District 25 (Morris and Passaic)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblyman Myhre

SYNOPSIS

���� Designates April 11th of each year as �World
Parkinson�s Day� in NJ.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

���� As introduced.

��

A Joint
Resolution

designating April 11 of
each year as �World Parkinson�s Day� in New Jersey.�

Whereas,
Parkinson�s Disease is a type of
neurologic movement disorder, affecting the brain and causing difficulty with
movements, or motor symptoms; and

Whereas,
Parkinson�s
Disease manifests in motor challenges such as tremors,
stiffness or rigidity of the muscles
, and slowness of
movement, as well as non-motor symptoms including anxiety, depression, sleep
problems, cognitive impairments, and difficulty swallowing; and

Whereas,
P
ersons with Parkinson�s Disease
also experience significant comorbidities, including increased rates of
infections, cardiac and gastrointestinal disorders, and fall-related injuries;
and

Whereas,
While the exact cause of Parkinson�s
Disease is unknown, researchers believe it likely results from a combination of
genetic and environmental factors; and

Whereas,
There is
currently no cure for Parkinson�s Disease; and

Whereas,
Parkinson�s
Disease is the fastest growing neurodegenerative disease in the world, and the second
most common neurodegenerative disease; and

Whereas,
The World
Health Organization estimated that neurodegenerative diseases, including but
not limited to Parkinson�s Disease, will become the second leading cause of
death worldwide by 2040, surpassing cancer related deaths; and

Whereas,
About one million people in the United States and 10
million people around the world are living with Parkinson�s Disease; and

Whereas,
About 90,000 Americans are diagnosed
with Parkinson�s Disease each year, and that number is expected to rise in the
next 20 years as our population ages
; and

Whereas,
Clinical trials help clinicians and scientists learn more
about the disease and related disorders; and

Whereas,

Millions
of caregivers, family members, and loved ones are deeply impacted by
Parkinson�s Disease and work tirelessly to provide care and support; and

Whereas,
Support groups can help people cope with
the disease's emotional impact and provide valuable information, advice, and
experience; and

Whereas,
The annual economic
burden of Parkinson�s Disease in the United States is over $50 billion; and

Whereas,
Designating
�World Parkinson�s Day� in New Jersey is a way to honor the millions of
individuals living with Parkinson�s Disease and the dedicated professionals,
caregivers, and advocates working tirelessly to support them; and

Whereas,
Lighting buildings, bridges, and other landmarks in vibrant
blue across New Jersey on April 11, World Parkinson�s Day, is one way to
provide a visible symbol of hope and unity for individuals and families
impacted by Parkinson�s Disease; now, therefore,�

����
Be It
Resolved
by the Senate and General Assembly of
the State of New Jersey:

���� 1.��� April 11 of each year is
designated as �World Parkinson�s Day� in New Jersey.�

���� 2.��� The Governor is
respectfully requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing the day and
call upon individuals, communities, healthcare professionals, and
organizations, both public and private, to observe this day with appropriate
activities, including the lighting of landmarks in vibrant blue, to raise
awareness and inspire action toward curing and addressing the impacts of Parkinson�s
Disease.�

���� 3.��� This joint resolution
shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

���� This joint resolution
designates an annual �World Parkinson�s Day� in New Jersey as a way to honor the
millions of individuals living with Parkinson�s Disease and the dedicated
professionals, caregivers, and advocates working tirelessly to support them.�
Parkinson�s Disease is a type of
neurologic movement disorder, affecting the brain and causing difficulty with
movements, or motor symptoms.�
A
bout one
million people in the United States and 10 million people around the world are
living with Parkinson�s Disease.�
It is the fastest growing
neurodegenerative disease in the world, the second most common
neurodegenerative disease, and the annual economic burden of Parkinson�s
Disease in the United States exceeds $50 billion.� There is currently no cure
for the disease.�
Millions of caregivers, family
members, and loved ones are deeply impacted by Parkinson�s Disease and work
tirelessly to provide care and support.

����
Lighting buildings, bridges, and other landmarks in vibrant
blue on April 11, World Parkinson�s Day, each year in New Jersey would serve as
a visible symbol of hope and unity for individuals and families impacted by
Parkinson�s Disease.