Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick
Whereas Pediatric stroke occurs at a rate of 1 in 2,700 live births per year and in 12 in 100,000 children making it the sixth leading cause of death in children; and
Whereas Very little is known about the cause, treatment, and prevention of Pediatric Stroke; and
Whereas Between 50 and 85 percent of infants and children who have a Pediatric Stroke will have serious, permanent neurological disabilities, including paralysis, seizures, speech and vision problems, attention, learning and behavioral difficulties, and may require ongoing physical therapy and surgeries; and
Whereas The life-long health concerns and treatments resulting from Pediatric Stroke result in a heavy financial and emotional toll on the child, the family, and society; and
Whereas Early diagnosis and commencement of treatment of Pediatric Stroke greatly improves chances of recovery and prevention of recurrence; and
Whereas Only through medical research can effective treatment and prevention strategies for Pediatric Stroke be identified and developed,
Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim May 2012, to be
Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month
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, this twenty-fifth 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
Govenor of the Commonwealth
William Francis Galvin
Secretary of the Commonwealth
God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts