State Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn) speaks on her Huntington’s Disease Awareness resolution on May 7, 2024, in the Michigan Capitol House Floor.
LANSING, Mich., Sept. 26, 2024 — State Rep. Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn) introduced House Bill 5963 this week that would permanently recognize May as Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month in Michigan.
“Huntington’s Disease is a rare genetic disorder that affects over 41,000 Americans, and an additional 200,000 are genetically at risk of inheriting the expanded gene responsible for causing this disease. This genetic disorder is so rare that there are many physicians who are still learning about the disease and its related medications. By introducing House Bill 5963, I aim to spread awareness of this disease,” Byrnes said.
Huntington’s Disease is a fatal genetic disorder that causes the progressive breakdown of nerve cells in the brain. It deteriorates a person’s physical and mental abilities during their prime working years and has no cure.
“The HD community is grateful to Rep.Erin Byrnes and Rep. Miller for their work to acknowledge May as Huntington’s Disease Awareness Month. It is through continued awareness that resources to fund research for this fatal disease that has no cure yet, can become available,” said Kristen Pfeifer, Wraparound Facilitator-Easterseals MORC, Huntington’s Disease Society of America (HDSA), Michigan Chapter, Board Member, HDSA-MI Advocacy Leader.
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