State of Alaska > Governor > Proclamations  > Full Proclamation

Myositis Awareness Day   Printer Friendly

WHEREAS, myositis can be a debilitating and sometimes fatal disease; and

WHEREAS, myositis is a chronic auto-immune disease that triggers the inflammation and degeneration of skeletal muscle tissues, in which inflammatory cells surround, invade, and destroy normal muscle fibers as though they were defective or foreign to the body; and

WHEREAS, although this disease most commonly affects women in their 40’s and 50’s, it can also be found in men and children, some as young as five years of age; and

WHEREAS, currently, 30,000 cases of myositis are estimated to exist in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the rareness of this disease and slow progression of symptoms can make it difficult to recognize and diagnose, often leading to years of delay in proper treatment; and

WHEREAS, although there is no known treatment for this debilitating disease, current treatments exist to help slow muscle deterioration and weakness;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Sean Parnell, Governor of the State of Alaska, do hereby proclaim September 21, 2009 as:

Myositis Awareness Day

in Alaska, and urge all the citizens to recognize this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Dated: September 23, 2009