WHEREAS, Multiple System Atrophy is a fatal neurological disease diagnosed in approximately 15,000 patients in the United States; and

WHEREAS, As many as 35,000 more patients in the United States with Multiple System Atrophy are misdiagnosed with other more recognizable neurodegenerative disorders; and

WHEREAS, Patients with Multiple System Atrophy lose the ability to walk, talk, chew, swallow, and even breathe over the course of a few years; and

WHEREAS, The incidence of Multiple System Atrophy in the United States has increased in recent years; and

WHEREAS, No specific risk factors or causes of Multiple System Atrophy have been identified; and

WHEREAS, There is currently no cure for Multiple System Atrophy; and

WHEREAS, The lack of awareness about Multiple System Atrophy has hindered research and the ability of researchers to obtain funding for their work; and

WHEREAS, Public support and greater awareness of the need for research funding can aid in the discovery of the cause of, and a cure for, Multiple System Atrophy;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Washington State Senate support the observation of March as Multiple System Atrophy Awareness Month to call attention to the pressing need to increase public awareness of this progressive neurodegenerative disorder and encourage further research into treatments and a cure for this terrible disease.

I, Hunter G. Goodman, Secretary of the Senate,

do hereby certify that this is a true and

correct copy of Senate Resolution 8714,

adopted by the Senate

March 8, 2016

HUNTER G. GOODMAN

Secretary of the Senate