GM1 Gangliosidosis Awareness 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:

WHEREAS, GM1 Gangliosidosis is a rare inherited disease that results in neurodegeneration and a progressive loss of abilities until death, leaving children, adolescents, and adults impaired with significant physical and developmental disability; and

WHEREAS, GM1 Gangliosidosis is severely under-diagnosed and misdiagnosed and occurring in only 1 in every 100,000 - 200,000 live births; and

WHEREAS, lack of public awareness and visibility of GM1 Gangliosidosis contributes to under-diagnosis and difficulties in accessing specialized services and proper rehabilitation and support; and

WHEREAS, early diagnosis of GM1 Gangliosidosis is important to ensure timely management of clinical complications, genetic counseling and when available treatment and therapeutic remedies; and

WHEREAS, the goal is to raise awareness and increase the accurate and timely diagnosis of this rare inherited lysosomal disorder, known as GM1 Gangliosidosis; and

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize May 23, 2023, as GM1 GANGLIOSIDOSIS AWARENESS DAY in the Commonwealth of Virginia, and I call this observance to the attention of our citizens.

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations