Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month

SENATE RESOLUTION 26-009

BY SENATOR(S) Simpson, Amabile, Baisley, Ball, Benavidez, Bridges, Bright, Carson, Catlin, Cutter, Danielson, Daugherty, Exum, Frizell, Gonzales J., Hinrichsen, Jodeh, Kipp, Kirkmeyer, Kolker, Lindstedt, Liston, Marchman, Mullica, Pelton B., Pelton R., Rich, Roberts, Rodriguez, Snyder, Sullivan, Wallace, Weissman, Zamora Wilson, Coleman.

CONCERNING ALS AWARENESS MONTH.

WHEREAS,-Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease or ALS, is a progressive, fatal neurodegenerative disease in which a person's brain loses connection with their muscles, slowly reducing a person's ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe; and WHEREAS, Thousands of new ALS cases are reported every year, and estimates show that every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS and someone passes away from ALS; and WHEREAS, On average, patients diagnosed with ALS survive only two to five years from the time of diagnosis; and WHEREAS, The exact causes of ALS are unknown, although a small percentage of cases are hereditary, and there is no known cure for ALS; and WHEREAS, People who have served in the military are more likely to develop ALS and die from the disease than those with no history of I. military service; and WHEREAS, Securing access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and communication technologies is of vital importance to

people living with ALS; and WHEREAS, Clinical trials play a pivotal role in evaluating new treatments, enhancing quality oflife, and fostering assistive technologies for those living with ALS; and WHEREAS, Multidisciplinary care clinics improve survival rates by providing comprehensive care for patients with ALS. Clinic care includes neurology, pulmonology, nutrition, physical therapy, occupational therapy, social work, and palliative care; and WHEREAS, The ALS Association is the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research globally and has committed more than $154 million to support more than 550 projects across the United States and 18 other countries; and WHEREAS, The ALS United Rocky Mountain organization provides Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah support for several multidisciplinary ALS clinics, including those throughout Colorado offered by National Jewish Health and the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus; and WHEREAS, The ALS Association and other nonprofit organizations are committed to making ALS livable and curing it for everyone, everywhere; and WHEREAS, ALS Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the dire circumstances of people living with ALS and acknowledge the terrible impact this disease has on those individuals and their families. Most importantly, it can help provide support for research to eradicate this disease and for multidisciplinary ALS clinics to administer comprehensive care for patients with ALS; and WHEREAS, Patients with ALS have incredible courage and inspire their families, caregivers, and the community at large; now, therefore, Belt Resolved by the Senate ofthe Seventy-fifth General Assembly of the State of Colorado:

( 1) That we, the members of the Colorado Senate, do hereby proclaim the month of May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month; and

(2) That we call upon all Coloradans to join in supporting ALS research, advocating for increased funding, and standing in solidarity with those affected by this relentless disease. Be It Further Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to Dr. Jinny Tavee, chief of the Division of Neurology and Behavioral Health at National Jewish Hospital; Dr. Laura Foster at UCHealthNeurosciences Center at Anschutz Medical Campus; the ALS Association; the ALS United Rocky Mountain organization; Gretchen Hammer, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy & Financing; and Paul O'Neill, an ALS caregiver.

James Rashad Coleman Sr. PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE

Esther van Mourik SECRETARY OF THE SENATE