Effective: January 13, 2012
Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 38 - 129th General Assembly
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord causing progressive muscle weakness and paralysis, and eventually death, while the patient's mental capacity and awareness of the disease remain unaffected. Because there is no known cause, prevention, or cure for this devastating disease, the general assembly finds that it is vitally important that the month of May be designated as "ALS Awareness Month."
The month of May therefore is designated as "ALS Awareness Month" to increase public awareness and understanding of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and to encourage efforts in finding treatments and a cure for ALS.