Every July 22 marks the observance of National Fragile X Awareness Day. Governors Henry McMaster of South Carolina and Tony Evers of Wisconsin have issued official proclamations to honor the observance of National Fragile X Awareness Day. A special thank you to the Fragile X families who made this possible. The official Governor’s proclamations are shown below.
State of South Carolina
Governor’s Proclamation
WHEREAS, fragile X syndrome is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and the most common known genetic cause of autism or autism spectrum disorders; and
WHEREAS, over 1.5 million Americans are carriers of a fragile X mutation and thus have, or are at risk for developing, a fragile X-associated disorder, and over 100,000 Americans have fragile X syndrome; and
WHEREAS, fragile X disorders are also associated with tremor/ataxia syndrome, causing tremors, balance deficiencies, and memory problems, ovarian insufficiency, causing reduced fertility or infertility, menstrual deficiencies, and early menopause; and
WHEREAS, fragile X is a powerful research model for neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism, schizophrenia, pervasive developmental disorders, and similar conditions including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, reproductive problems in women, and other genetically-based medical conditions; and
WHEREAS, although the genetic defect causing fragile X has been discovered and is easily identified by DNA testing, fragile X frequently goes undetected due to its recent discovery and the lack of awareness about the syndrome, even within the medical community; and
WHEREAS, raising awareness of fragile X with the public and the medical community will help patients with the fragile X gene make better informed medical decisions and help those living with fragile x syndrome to adapt into society and provide significant contributions towards better understanding autism and other fragile X-associated conditions.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, Henry McMaster, Governor of the great State of South Carolina, do hereby proclaim July 22, 2019, as
FRAGILE X AWARENESS DAY
throughout the state and encourage all South Carolinians to work together to raise awareness of the need for early diagnosis and treatment for the disorder as well as continued research to find a cure.
The proclamation can be found at: http://www.scddc.state.sc.us/documents/Fragile%20X%20Awareness%20Day%202021.pdf
State of Wisconsin
Office of the Governor
Whereas; fragile X syndrome and other disorders related to mutations of the FMR1 gene are genetic conditions that can result in developmental delays, learning disabilities, and social and behavioral problems in affected individuals; and
Whereas; fragile X-associated conditions are also connected to tremor/ataxia syndrome, which causes tremors, balance deficiencies, and memory problems, as well as ovarian insufficiency, which can result in reduced fertility or infertility, menstrual deficiencies, and early menopause; and
Whereas; over 100,000 Americans have fragile X syndrome, and an estimated I .5 million Americans are carriers of a fragile X mutation; and
Whereas; although the genetic mutation that causes fragile X is easily identified by DNA testing, fragile X syndrome frequently goes undetected due to its recent discovery and a lack of awareness in both the general public and the medical community; and
Whereas; raising awareness of fragile X will help affected individuals and their families make more informed medical decisions and will guide the medical community towards a better understanding of fragile X-associated conditions and similar neuropsychiatric disorders; and
Whereas; today, the state of Wisconsin joins affected individuals, families, and advocates across our state in raising awareness of fragile X syndrome and related conditions, as well as the need for continued research, early diagnosis, and treatment;
Now, Therefore, I, Tony Evers, Governor of the State of Wisconsin, do hereby proclaim July 22, 2021, as
FRAGILE X AWARENESS DAY
throughout the state of Wisconsin and I commend this observance
to all our state’s residents.
