WHEREAS, the health and safety of all Virginians are important to the prosperity and well-being of our Commonwealth’s families and communities; and

WHEREAS, the term “eosinophil-associated diseases” describes a group of diseases characterized by having elevated levels of eosinophils, a type of white blood cell associated with allergies, parasitic infections, cancer, and other conditions, in one or more specific places in the digestive system, tissues, organs and/or bloodstream, causing inflammation and damage; and

WHEREAS, more than one of every 2,000 Americans are estimated to have eosinophilic esophagitis, and more than one of every 3,500 individuals are affected by eosinophilic colitis and eosinophilic gastroenteritis and face challenges of lower quality of life with chronic illnesses; and

WHEREAS, Virginia residents should understand this chronic illness can be life-threatening, causing inflammation of and damage to the vital organs, such as the heart, lungs, kidney, and gastrointestinal tract; and

WHEREAS, eosinophil-associated diseases are chronic illnesses that significantly impact a person's quality of life and ability to attend school and work, and sometimes dramatically alter a person’s diet; and

WHEREAS, Virginia patients with eosinophilic gastrointestinal diseases depend upon steroid treatment, dietary alterations, and amino acid-based formula orally or via feeding tubes; and

WHEREAS, eosinophil-associated diseases can be difficult to diagnose because the symptoms may resemble other illnesses and gaps exist in understanding the causes, consequences, and treatments of eosinophil-associated diseases; and

WHEREAS, increased public awareness of eosinophil-associated diseases can result in earlier diagnosis, better medical treatment, research, access to quality health care; and

WHEREAS, Virginians must educate themselves about symptoms, support programs, research, and community awareness; and

WHEREAS, Congress designated the third week of May as National Eosinophil Awareness Week through HR 296 in May 2007; and

WHEREAS, National Eosinophil Awareness Week is an appropriate time to recognize the Commonwealth’s dedicated health professionals who tirelessly treat those with eosinophilic gastrointestinal disorders;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn A. Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 15-21, 2023, as EOSINOPHIL AWARENESS WEEK in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.