MSD World Day

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

MSD World Day

WHEREAS, Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD) is a rare genetic, progressive, neurodegenerative disease caused by the buildup of cellular waste throughout the body leading to neurologic regression and multisystemic symptoms that mainly affect the brain, skin, and skeleton; and

WHEREAS, MSD impacts 1 in 500,000 individuals, and there has been minimal research done until recent years because of the lack of commercial viability for treatment; and

WHEREAS, MSD statistically impacts 750 children in the United States and more than 15,000 worldwide; and

WHEREAS, children with MSD typically do not live past their 13th birthday; and

WHEREAS, in 2021, MSD families from around the world came together to create the first MSD World Day; and

WHEREAS, the date chosen in 2021 was July 30 in honor of the late Professor Thomas Dierks, one of the researchers who first described the biological cause of MSD and whose team identified the SUMF1 gene which encodes for the formylglycine-generating enzyme deficient in MSD children; and

WHEREAS, MSD World Day honors those impacted by Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency and raises awareness across Virginia and its areas of influence;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize July 30, 2024, as MSD WORLD DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations