MILWAUKEE – Today, the Committee on Health Equity, Human Needs, and Strategic Planning unanimously recommended adoption of a resolution, authored by Supervisor Anne O’Connor, recognizing May as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month.
The resolution, introduced by Supervisors O’Connor, Shea, Martinez, Capriolo, Gómez-Tom, Vincent, Rolland, Wasserman, Bielinski, Logsdon, and Martin, recognizes ALS as a progressive and fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells and can cause individuals to lose the ability to walk, talk, eat, and breathe.
The resolution also highlights the urgent need for continued research, clinical trials, access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and communication technologies for people living with ALS. According to O’Connor:
“Recognizing ALS Awareness Month is about standing with individuals and families facing an incredibly difficult diagnosis while continuing to advocate for greater awareness, research, and access to care,” said Supervisor Anne O’Connor. “This resolution helps shine a light on a disease that affects thousands of Americans every year and reminds those living with ALS that Milwaukee County supports them. We also take a moment to honor the memory of those we have lost to ALS and recommit ourselves to supporting those still fighting.”
ALS Awareness Month serves as an opportunity to increase public understanding of the disease, recognize its impact on individuals and families, and support efforts to improve awareness, advocacy, research, and access to care.
The Milwaukee County Board encourages residents to learn more about ALS and support efforts to help those affected by the disease.
The resolution is expected to be taken up at the May 28th meeting of the Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors.
