Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas Fibromyalgia, a form of arthritis, is a chronic disorder that causes fatigue and debilitating pain; and
Whereas An estimated 10 million people in the United States—6 to 8 percent of the population of our country—have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, a disease for which there is no known cause or cure; and
Whereas Symptoms of fibromyalgia include widespread pain, extreme fatigue, sleep disorders, stiffness and weakness, migraine headaches, and impaired memory and concentration; and
Whereas It often takes an average of five years to receive a diagnosis of fibromyalgia; and
Whereas Through public awareness, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeks to minimize the devastating effects of fibromyalgia among all Massachusetts residents, and to better support people who struggle with the challenges of this chronic pain disorder,
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim May 12th, 2012, to be,
Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.
Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, eighteenth day of April, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.
By His Excellency
Deval L. Patrick
Governor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts