Sample Proclamation

April is Parkinson's Awareness Month! The sample proclamation below can be used to involve public officials in YOUR community in raising awareness! 

When submitting your request for involvement of a public official, be sure to also contact the Parkinson's Action Network, to see if anyone else in your state/community is working on a proclamation and if you can collaborate.

Return to the Awareness Month Toolkit

2011 CITY/STATE PROCLAMATION TEMPLATE 

WHEREAS, Parkinson’s is the second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, second only to Alzheimer’s;

WHEREAS even though there is inadequate comprehensive data on the incidence and prevalence of Parkinson’s disease, as of 2010, it is estimated that the disease affects over 1,000,000 people in the United States;

WHEREAS although research suggests the cause of Parkinson’s disease is a combination of genetic and environmental factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown; 

WHEREAS there is no objective test for Parkinson’s disease and the rate of misdiagnosis can be high;

WHEREAS symptoms of Parkinson’s disease vary from person to person and include tremor, slowness, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, speaking, rigidity, cognitive problems, dementia, mood disorders, such as depression and anxiety, constipation, skin problems, and sleep disruption;

WHEREAS there is no cure, therapy, or drug to slow or halt the progression of Parkinson’s disease;

WHEREAS increased education and research are needed to help find more effective treatments with fewer side effects and, ultimately, an effective treatment or cure for Parkinson’s disease;

NOW, THEREFORE, I/WE, _________, MAYOR/GOVERNOR/THE CITY COUNCIL of the City/State of ________, do hereby proclaim April as Parkinson's Awareness Month in ________.

Given under my hand in these free United States in the City of _____, on this day of two thousand and ten, and to which I have caused the Seal of the City/State of to be affixed and have made this proclamation public.

_______________________________

Mayor/Governor/Council

Attest:

_______________________________

_______________________________