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Washington, DC – Today, on World Parkinson’s Day, U.S. Representatives Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and Jen Kiggins (R-VA) and Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced a bipartisan and bicameral resolution to designate April as “Parkinson’s Awareness Month.” Wexton announced last year that she had been diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), an atypical parkinsonism or “Parkinson’s on steroids.”

“I know how tough a Parkinson’s diagnosis can be and how frightening the road ahead may seem,” said Congresswoman Wexton. “I’ve spent my career uplifting the stories of those in need, and I will continue to fight on behalf of the more than one million Americans and their families who, like mine, face enormous challenges due to Parkinson’s. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort alongside Rep. Kiggans and Senators Stabenow and Scott to raise awareness of this terrible disease and the urgent need to do more to develop treatments and ultimately a cure.”

“I am proud to join my colleague and friend Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton on a resolution to designate April as ‘Parkinson’s Disease Awareness Month,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “As a geriatric nurse practitioner, I have cared for many patients with Parkinson’s disease. I know first-hand how challenging these diagnoses can be, but also know these patients are resilient. I’m proud to support the nearly 90,000 Americans who are diagnosed with Parkinson’s each year. Congress must ensure we continue to fight for research breakthroughs allowing Americans with Parkinson’s disease to lead fuller lives. Much progress has been made, but there is more work to be done. I’m hopeful that by raising awareness and supporting research, we can one day find a cure.”

“So many American families are living with the effects of Parkinson’s disease. Our resolution affirms Congress’ support of these families and commitment to research to find more effective treatments, better care and ultimately, a cure," said Senator Stabenow.

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing and second most common neurodegenerative disease in the world. Over one million Americans are currently living with the disease, with nearly 90,000 new diagnoses each year. Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disorder which can cause tremors, slowness, stiffness, and challenges with walking, balance, and speaking. Symptoms often vary from person to person, and they slowly worsen over time. Treatments and therapies exist to help those living with Parkinson’s manage their symptoms, but there is not currently a cure.

“During Parkinson’s Awareness Month and on this World Parkinson’s Day, The Michael J. Fox Foundation is grateful to our partners in Congress including Representatives Wexton and Kiggans and Senators Stabenow and Scott who are leading this bipartisan effort to honor the 1 million Americans living with Parkinson’s and their families,” said Ted Thompson, senior vice president of public policy at The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research. “Together, we’re reaffirming our commitment to doing everything we can to fast-track promising research, ensure every person with PD has access to the best care available and ultimately, find a cure for Parkinson’s.” 

During this Congress, there has been a bipartisan effort to step up the fight for treatments and cures for Parkinson’s, including through the “Dr. Emmanuel Bilirakis and Honorable Jennifer Wexton National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act,” which passed the House of Representatives last December. The bill would bring key federal agency stakeholders together along with nonfederal experts, patients, and caregivers to build a national plan to prevent, treat, and cure Parkinson’s Disease including atypical parkinsonisms like PSP.

In addition to Representatives Wexton and Kiggans, the resolution is also cosponsored by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Don Bacon (R-NE), Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Don Beyer (D-VA), Emanuel Cleaver II (D-MO), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Michael Lawler (R-NY), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Bennie Thompson (D-MS), David Trone (D-MD), and Susan Wild (D-PA).

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

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