HomeMy WebLinkAboutII(B) Proclamation: Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month Agenda 05-18-2004
Item II B
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Whereas, The National Neurofibromatosis Foundation is observing May as National Neurofibromatosis(NF)
Awareness Month to inform the public about this common genetic disorder;and
Whereas, Neurofibromatosis is more prevalent than Cystic Fibrosis,Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy,and
Huntington's Disease combined; and
Whereas, Over 100,000 Americans have Neurofibromatosis and one of every 4,000 newborns will develop
the disorder, it nevertheless is relatively unknown to the public,and obtaining a correct diagnosis
can be difficult; and
Whereas, Neurofibromatosis causes tumors to grow along nerves throughout the body,and can affect the
development of other parts of the body, such as bone and skin tumors, bone deformities such as
curvature of the spine;tibial bowing and/or twisting,progressive loss of hearing, sight and balance;
learning disabilities; and other symptoms;and
Whereas, NF symptoms usually appear in childhood or adolescence,but they may appear later in life,and
some NF patients remain in stable condition for many years,while in others the disorder progresses
rapidly and in some,the problems can be corrected or eased by surgery;and
Whereas, NF is equally likely to occur among men and women of any race or ethnic group and 50%of all
people with NF have no family history of the disorder; and
Whereas: The National Neurofibromatosis Foundation promotes and supports research aimed at finding the
causes of the disorder and developing treatments and a cure,provides information to people with
NF, informs the public about the disorder,and is a resource for medical and health professionals;
and
Whereas, While recent research has resulted in the identification of genes that cause Neurofibromatosis,
much remains to be done to raise awareness and funding to develop methods of prevention,
treatment and a cure; and the National Neurofibromatosis Foundation(www.n£org, 800-323-7938)
leads the efforts in this regard;
Now Therefore,I,S. Scott Vandergrift,Mayor of the City of Ocoee,Florida,in recognition of this important
initiative,do hereby proclaim the month of May,2004 in the City of Ocoee as
"Neurofibromatosis Awareness Month"
IN WITNESS WHEREOF,I hereunto have set my hand and caused my Seal to be affixed this 18th day of May
2004.
S. Scott Vandergrift,Mayor