Childhood Dementia 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:

Childhood Dementia Day

WHEREAS, childhood dementia is an umbrella term representing over 100 genetic conditions that cause neurocognitive decline in children, leading to a progressive loss of cognitive and motor functions, which significantly impacts the quality of life for affected children and their families; and

WHEREAS, Niemann-Pick Disease Type C (NPC), one of the childhood dementias, has devastating effects on children, leading to severe physical and cognitive disabilities, and most children with this condition do not live into adulthood; and

WHEREAS, the lack of awareness and understanding of childhood dementia among the public, healthcare professionals, and policymakers contributes to significant challenges in securing timely diagnoses, appropriate care, and effective treatments for affected children; and

WHEREAS, organizations like AbbyStrong Fights NPC are dedicated to raising awareness, advocating for policy changes, and funding critical research to find treatments and ultimately cures for childhood dementias; and

WHEREAS, regulatory, policy, and market frameworks need to be strengthened to support accelerated research, approval, and delivery of new treatments for childhood dementias, ensuring that promising therapies reach children in need without unnecessary delays or arbitrary restrictions on availability to patients; and

WHEREAS, Childhood Dementia Day in Virginia honors and supports the children and families affected by these devastating conditions, and encourages the community to engage in activities that promote awareness and funding for ongoing research and support services; and

WHEREAS, citizens are urged to learn more about childhood dementia, support affected families, and contribute to the efforts to find effective treatments and cures for these conditions;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Glenn Youngkin, do hereby recognize September 18, 2024, as CHILDHOOD DEMENTIA DAY in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.