Neurofibromatosis 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, although over 2 million people around the world are living with neurofibromatosis (NF) and 1 in every 3,000 births is diagnosed with NF, it is still relatively unknown to the public; and

WHEREAS, NF affects all populations, regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender; and

WHEREAS, NF causes tumors to grow on nerves throughout the body and can affect development of the brain, cardiovascular system, bones, and skin; and

WHEREAS, the disorder can lead to blindness, deafness, bone abnormalities, disfigurement, learning disabilities, disabling pain, and cancer; and

WHEREAS, the Children’s Tumor Foundation leads efforts to promote and financially sponsor world-class medical research aimed at finding effective treatments and, ultimately, a cure for NF; and

WHEREAS, the Children’s Tumor Foundation is actively fostering collaborative partnerships in both science and industry to speed the drug research and development process through collaborative consortia called Synodos; and

WHEREAS, the Children’s Tumor Foundation works to improve access to quality patient healthcare through its national NF Clinic Network and provides patient and family support through its information resources, youth programs, and local chapter activities; and

WHEREAS, the Children’s Tumor Foundation is observing May 2023 as Neurofibromatosis (NF) Awareness Month to educate the public about this rare genetic disorder and to raise awareness of NF to help promote early diagnosis, proper management and treatment, prevention of complications, and support of research; and

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

Governor of Virginia

Proclamations