Bill Text: NJ AJR96 | 2024-2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Permanently designating March 28th as "Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Day" in New Jersey.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2024-02-01 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Health Committee [AJR96 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2024-AJR96-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblywoman PAMELA R. LAMPITT
District 6 (Burlington and Camden)
SYNOPSIS
Permanently designating March 28th as "Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Day" in New Jersey.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Joint Resolution permanently designating March 28th as "Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Day" in New Jersey.
Whereas, Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, disabling disease of the central nervous system for which there is no cure; and
Whereas, MS can cause many symptoms, including blurred vision, loss of balance, poor coordination, slurred speech, tremors, numbness, extreme fatigue, problems with memory and concentration, paralysis, and depression; and
Whereas, There are more than 400,000 individuals in the United States, and an estimated 2.3 million individuals globally living with MS; and
Whereas, MS is at least two to three times more common in women than in men, and is typically diagnosed when individuals are in the prime of their lives, between the ages of 20 and 50; and
Whereas, Unlike relapsing forms of MS, progressive MS is characterized by a fairly steady, gradual change in functional ability from the onset of the symptoms of MS, most often related to walking, without the early relapses or remissions, normally seen in individuals suffering from MS; and
Whereas, Approximately eighty percent of individuals with MS may develop progressive MS over time; and
Whereas, Due to the symptoms and the progression of the disease, individuals with MS and progressive MS, their families, caregivers, employers, and the health care system carry substantial clinical and economic burdens over a period of many years; and
Whereas, Lost productivity, the loss of employment, or the need to take early retirement due to disease progression may be the largest single factor contributing to the nonmedical, financial, familial, and societal costs of both MS and progressive MS; and
Whereas, Early and appropriate treatment, including the use of disease-modifying therapies can markedly reduce disease activity and the accumulation of disability, allowing those suffering for MS to have a more active and independent lifestyle; and
Whereas, Disease-modifying therapies have not been shown to be effective in reducing the impact of the disease in patients suffering from the progressive form of MS; and
Whereas, Researchers are also exploring mechanisms that drive injury to the brain and spinal cord to expose new potential therapeutic targets for progressive MS; and
Whereas, Increased public awareness and education about MS and progressive MS can effectively improve the overall health of, and empower individuals living with, MS and progressive MS, together with their families, to seek out information to make informed decisions about the treatment and care they receive; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. March 28th shall be permanently designated as "Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Day" in the State of New Jersey in order to raise public awareness and provide education about multiple sclerosis and progressive multiple sclerosis in order to improve the overall health of, and empower individuals living with, MS and progressive MS, together with their families, to seek out information to make informed decisions about the treatment and care they receive.
2. The Governor is respectively requested to annually issue a proclamation recognizing March 28th as "Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Day" in New Jersey, and calling upon public officials and the citizens of this State to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs.
3. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly or the Secretary of the Senate to the Multiple Sclerosis Association of America.
4. This joint resolution shall take effect immediately.
STATEMENT
This joint resolution permanently designates March 28th as "Progressive Multiple Sclerosis Day" in the State of New Jersey in order to raise public awareness and provide education about multiple sclerosis and progressive multiple sclerosis in order to improve the overall health of, and empower individuals living with, MS and progressive MS, together with their families, to seek out information to make informed decisions about the treatment and care they receive.
