GBS/CIDP Awareness Month

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

WHEREAS, Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) is characterized by rapid onset of weakness and, often, paralysis of the legs, arms, breathing muscles, and face; and

WHEREAS, the cause of GBS and CIDP is unknown, and the length of the illness is unpredictable, usually requiring months of hospital care with patients and families facing an uncertain recovery; and

WHEREAS, GBS and CIDP can develop in individuals of any age, gender, or ethnic background and some may face long-term disabilities of varying degrees; and

WHEREAS, in 1980, the Guillain-Barré Foundation International, now the GBS/CIDP Foundation International, was founded to provide a support network to patients and their families through the national office headquartered in Philadelphia and its 185 chapters with more than 40,000 members throughout the United States, Canada, Asia, Europe, Australia, South America, and South Africa; and

WHEREAS, the foundation serves as a link between patients, physicians, nurses, and families to provide educational materials and newsletters, as well as fund medical research and conduct seminars; and

WHEREAS, the Foundation’s medical advisory board includes prominent neurologists active in GBS and CIDP research, leading physicians in rehabilitation medicine, and physicians who, themselves, have had the disorder; and

WHEREAS, the month of May has been designated as GBS and CIDP Awareness Month to educate the public and to focus attention on Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) that are rare, paralyzing and potentially catastrophic disorders of the peripheral nerves;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 2023, as GBS/CIDP AWARENESS MONTH in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations