Leukodystrophy 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, leukodystrophies are a group of rare, genetic disorders that affect the white matter of the brain and nervous system affecting an estimated 1 in 7,000 people; and

WHEREAS, for metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD), the incidence is estimated to be 1 in 100,000 births in the United States; and

WHEREAS, for krabbe disease, the incidence is estimated to be 1 in 100,000 births in the United States, and

WHEREAS, for adrenoleukodystrophy (ALD), the incidence is estimated to be 1 in 21,000 male births in the United States; and

WHEREAS, newborn screening and early diagnostic measures are important to ensure that families affected by leukodystrophy have an opportunity for timely diagnosis and guidance from a healthcare professional; and

WHEREAS, improved awareness and education around leukodystrophies will increase parental awareness of newborn screenings for leukodystrophies;

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

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations