Proclamations

Back to Proclamations

Proclamation Header Image

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

Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Awareness Month

WHEREAS, neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare and relatively unknown autoimmune disease that currently has no cure; and

WHEREAS, NMOSD attacks the central nervous system and can cause lifetime disability, including blindness and/or paralysis; and

WHEREAS, the cause of NMOSD is still a mystery and there are few approved treatments for most patients with NMOSD, and no treatment for the remainder of patients; and

WHEREAS, when mistaken for other diseases, treatments can exacerbate NMOSD symptoms; and

WHEREAS, increasing awareness about NMOSD has caused diagnoses to rise, as doctors have become more likely to recognize the varying manifestations of the disease; and

WHEREAS, the NMOSD community is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of this disease to promote research, improve patient care and outcomes, and ultimately find a cure;

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