WHEREAS, Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also commonly known as Lou Gehrigs disease, is a progressive fatal neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord in which a persons brain loses connection with their muscles, slowly reducing a persons ability to walk, talk, eat, and eventually breathe; and

WHEREAS, The life expectancy for an individual with ALS is between two and five years after the date on which the individual receives an ALS diagnosis; and

WHEREAS, ALS occurs throughout the world, with no racial, ethnic, gender, or socioeconomic boundaries; and

WHEREAS, Thousands of new ALS cases are reported every year, and estimates show that every 90 minutes, someone is diagnosed with ALS and someone passes away from ALS; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 2,400 Californians are afflicted with ALS at any time; and

WHEREAS, The cause of ALS is unknown in up to 90 percent of cases; and

WHEREAS, Approximately 10 percent of cases have a strong known genetic driver; and

WHEREAS, On average, the period between the date an individual first experiences symptoms of ALS and the date the individual is diagnosed with ALS is more than one year; and

WHEREAS, The onset of ALS often involves muscle weakness or stiffness and the progression of ALS results in the further weakening, wasting, and paralysis of the muscles of the limbs and trunk and the muscles that control vital functions, such as speech, swallowing, and breathing; and

WHEREAS, ALS can strike individuals of any age, but predominantly strikes adults; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that tens of thousands of individuals in the United States have ALS at any given time; and

WHEREAS, Based on studies of the population, slightly more than 5,600 individuals are diagnosed with ALS each year, and approximately 15 individuals are diagnosed with ALS each day in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Between 2015 and 2040, the number of ALS cases around the world is expected to increase by nearly 70 percent; and

WHEREAS, The majority of individuals with ALS die of respiratory failure; and

WHEREAS, In the United States, military veterans are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with ALS than those with no history of military service; and

WHEREAS, As of the date of introduction of this resolution, there is no cure for ALS; and

WHEREAS, The spouses, children, and family members of individuals living with ALS support these individuals with love, day-to-day care, and more; and

WHEREAS, Securing access to new therapies, durable medical equipment, and communication technologies is of vital importance to people living with ALS; and

WHEREAS, Clinical trials play a pivotal role in evaluating new treatments, enhancing quality of life, and fostering assistive technologies for those living with ALS; and

WHEREAS, The ALS Association is the largest philanthropic funder of ALS research globally and has committed more than $154,000,000 to support more than 550 projects across the United States and 18 other countries; and

WHEREAS, The ALS Association is committed to make ALS livable and cure it for everyone, everywhere; and

WHEREAS, ALS Awareness Month provides an opportunity to increase public awareness of the dire circumstances of people living with ALS, acknowledge the terrible impact this disease has on those individuals and their families, and support research to eradicate this disease; and

WHEREAS, An individual with ALS or their caregivers can be required to bear significant costs for medical care, equipment, and home care services as the disease progresses; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature of the State of California hereby proclaims May 2026 as Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month in California; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature affirms its dedication to (1) ensuring that individuals with ALS have access to effective treatments as soon as possible, (2) identifying the risk factors and causes of ALS to prevent new cases, (3) empowering individuals with ALS to engage with the world in the way they want, (4) reducing the physical, emotional, and financial burdens of living with ALS, and (5) ensuring all individuals with ALS and their caregivers receive high-quality services and supports that benefit them; and be it further

Resolved, That the Legislature commends the dedication of the family, caregivers, friends, organizations, volunteers, researchers, providers, and caregiving professionals across the nation that are working to improve the quality and length of life for those living with ALS and the development of treatments and cures that reach patients as soon as possible; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

ACR 177: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Awareness Month.

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