This resolution supports the designation of "ALS Awareness Month" to highlight the severity of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis and affirm commitment to research, treatment access, and support for patients and caregivers.
Jason Crow
Representative
CO-6
This resolution officially supports the designation of "ALS Awareness Month" to bring critical attention to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. It affirms the commitment to accelerating research for treatments and cures while supporting patients and caregivers facing this devastating, progressive disease. The bill recognizes the urgent need to reduce the physical, emotional, and financial burdens associated with ALS.
House Resolution Affirms Support for ALS Research and Designates Awareness Month
This resolution is straightforward: the House of Representatives is making an official statement supporting the designation of a month as ALS Awareness Month. This isn't about funding or new laws, but about using the legislative platform to shine a very necessary spotlight on Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a devastating disease.
The Reality Check on ALS
The resolution lays out the brutal facts about ALS. It’s a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells, leading to muscle weakness, paralysis, and typically death within two to five years of diagnosis. The cause is unknown in up to 90 percent of cases, and the diagnosis process itself often takes over a year from the first symptoms. This is the kind of disease that doesn't just affect the patient; it puts immense physical, emotional, and financial strain on families and caregivers, who often shoulder huge out-of-pocket costs for specialized equipment and round-the-clock care.
What the House Is Officially Committing To
By passing this resolution, the House formally affirms its dedication to several key commitments related to ALS. First, they are committed to ensuring people with ALS can access effective treatments as quickly as possible. Second, they support research aimed at figuring out the causes and risk factors of the disease to prevent new cases. Third, and critically, they are dedicated to improving the quality of life and support systems for both patients and their caregivers. This means recognizing the need to lower the stress and financial burden that comes with managing a progressive, terminal illness.
Why Awareness Matters for Everyone
While this resolution doesn't write a check, its importance lies in visibility. Increased awareness can drive private donations, encourage more people to participate in clinical trials, and, most importantly, put pressure on federal agencies to prioritize ALS research funding and streamline drug approval processes. For busy people, this is a reminder that advocacy and awareness resolutions matter because they signal legislative intent. When Congress formally recognizes the severity of a disease, it helps ensure that the people working on the cure—the researchers, the doctors, and the advocacy groups—have the institutional backing they need to keep fighting.