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By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

Fibromyalgia Awareness Day

WHEREAS, fibromyalgia is a complex chronic condition that causes fatigue, cognitive dysfunction, sleep disturbances, and widespread debilitating pain; and

WHEREAS, fibromyalgia affects three to five percent of the nation’s population and tens of thousands of Virginians; and

WHEREAS, it often takes an average of three to five years to receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia, and it is a disease with no known cure; and

WHEREAS, in addition to chronic pain, fibromyalgia’s symptoms include moderate to severe fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness and weakness, mobility/balance instability, headaches/migraines, numbness and tingling, nausea, vertigo, and impairment of memory and concentration; and

WHEREAS, due to interference with the internal bodily systems, people living with fibromyalgia experience chronic body pain and often develop several co-existing medical conditions, which may include Chronic Myofascial Pain, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Raynaud’s Syndrome, Interstitial Cystitis (IC), Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), Peripheral Neuropathy, Anxiety, Depression, Chemical and Environmental Sensitivities; and

WHEREAS, fibromyalgia causes daily multifaceted management challenges that impact an individual’s daily functioning and quality of life; and

WHEREAS, increased public awareness, education, and research are the keys to winning the battle against fibromyalgia and reducing the stigma of this illness; and

WHEREAS, organizations and patient leaders have joined together to advocate for fibromyalgia awareness and support a better future for research, treatment, and education;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 12, 2025, as FIBROMYALGIA AWARENESS DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all of our citizens.