Title: A resolution designating May 2021 as "ALS Awareness Month".
Policy area: Health

Summary:
This resolution designates May 2021 as ALS Awareness Month. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.

[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 255 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

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117th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 255

            Designating May 2021 as ``ALS Awareness Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                 May 28 (legislative day, May 27), 2021

     Mr. Coons (for himself and Mr. Braun) submitted the following 
             resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
            Designating May 2021 as ``ALS Awareness Month''.

Whereas amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (referred to in this preamble as ``ALS'') 
        is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in 
        the brain and the spinal cord;
Whereas the life expectancy for an individual with ALS is between 2 and 5 years 
        after the date on which the individual receives an ALS diagnosis;
Whereas ALS occurs throughout the world with no racial, ethnic, gender, or 
        socioeconomic boundaries;
Whereas ALS may affect any individual in any location;
Whereas the cause of ALS is unknown in up to 90 percent of cases;
Whereas approximately 10 percent of cases have a strong known genetic driver;
Whereas, on average, the period between the date on which an individual first 
        experiences symptoms of ALS and the date on which the individual is 
        diagnosed with ALS is more than 1 year;
Whereas the onset of ALS often involves muscle weakness or stiffness, and the 
        progression of ALS results in the further weakening, wasting, and 
        paralysis of--

    (1) the muscles of the limbs and trunk; and

    (2) the muscles that control vital functions, such as speech, 
swallowing, and breathing;

Whereas ALS can strike individuals of any age, but it predominantly strikes 
        adults;
Whereas it is estimated that tens of thousands of individuals in the United 
        States have ALS at any given time;
Whereas, based on studies of the population of the United States, slightly more 
        than 5,600 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with ALS each 
        year, and 15 individuals in the United States are diagnosed with ALS 
        each day;
Whereas, between 2015 and 2040, the number of ALS cases around the world is 
        expected to increase by nearly 70 percent;
Whereas the majority of individuals with ALS die of respiratory failure;
Whereas, in the United States, military veterans may be up to twice as likely to 
        be diagnosed with ALS than the general public;
Whereas, as of the date of introduction of this resolution, there is no cure for 
        ALS;
Whereas the spouses, children, and family members of individuals living with ALS 
        provide support to those individuals with love, day-to-day care, and 
        more; and
Whereas an individual with ALS, and the caregivers of such an individual, can be 
        required to bear significant costs for medical care, equipment, and home 
        care services for the individual as the disease progresses: Now, 
        therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates May 2021 as ``ALS Awareness Month'';
            (2) affirms the dedication of the Senate to--
                    (A) ensuring individuals with amyotrophic lateral 
                sclerosis (referred to in this resolving clause as 
                ``ALS'') have access to effective treatments as soon as 
                possible;
                    (B) identifying risk factors and causes of ALS to 
                prevent new cases;
                    (C) empowering individuals with ALS to engage with 
                the world in the way they want;
                    (D) reducing the physical, emotional, and financial 
                burdens of living with ALS; and
                    (E) ensuring all individuals with ALS and their 
                caregivers receive high quality services and supports 
                that benefit them; and
            (3) commends the dedication of the family members, friends, 
        organizations, volunteers, researchers, and caregivers across 
        the United States that are working to improve the quality and 
        length of life of ALS patients and the development of 
        treatments and cures that reach patients as soon as possible.
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