| R 269 |
| 2026 -- S 3229 Enacted 04/28/2026 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| PROCLAIMING APRIL OF 2026, TO BE "PARKINSON'S AWARENESS MONTH" IN THE STATE OF RHODE ISLAND |
Introduced By: Senator Jessica de la Cruz |
| Date Introduced: April 24, 2026 |
| WHEREAS, Parkinson’s Disease is a chronic, progressive neurological disease and is the |
| second most common neurodegenerative disease in the United States, second only to Alzheimer’s |
| disease; and |
| WHEREAS, More than one million people in the United States are currently living with |
| Parkinson's Disease. Every six minutes, there is a new Parkinson's Disease diagnosis, and each |
| year there are nearly 90,000 new diagnoses of Parkinson's Disease which represents a 50 percent |
| increase from previous years. In Rhode Island, one to two thousand people suffer from |
| Parkinson's Disease; and |
| WHEREAS, Approximately five to ten percent of Parkinson's Disease diagnoses occur |
| before the age of 50, with the onset of Parkinson's Disease commonly occurring at the age of 60 |
| and older; and |
| WHEREAS, Although research suggests Parkinson’s results from a combination of |
| genetic and environmental factors, the exact cause and progression of the disease is still unknown |
| and there is no objective test or biomarker with which to diagnose the disease; and |
| WHEREAS, Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease vary from person to person and can |
| include tremors, slowness, difficulty with balance, swallowing, chewing, speaking, rigidity, |
| constipation, skin problems, cognitive problems, dementia, and mood disorders such as |
| depression and anxiety; and |
| WHEREAS, Currently there is no known cure or drug to slow or halt the progression of |
| Parkinson’s Disease, and available treatments are limited in their ability to address the medical |
| needs of patients; and |
| WHEREAS, Increased efforts and awareness are desperately needed to help expedite |
| research efforts for better treatments, and ultimately a cure, as well as creating enhanced |
| programs and services to help those impacted by Parkinson’s Disease to improve their quality of |
| life until a cure is found; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims April of |
| 2026, to be "Parkinson’s Awareness Month" in the State of Rhode Island; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the American Parkinson Disease Association, |
| Rhode Island Chapter. |
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| LC006256 |
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