Sarcoidosis Awareness Month

Proclamation
By the Governor of Alabama

WHEREAS, once thought to be a rare disease, sarcoidosis is now known to affect people of all ages, races and genders; and

WHEREAS, sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease that can affect almost any organ in the body and causes heightened immunity, a condition that results in overreaction of the immune system, resulting in damage to the body’s own tissues; and

WHEREAS, the classic feature of sarcoidosis is the formation of granulomas, microscopic clumps of inflammatory cells that group together, interfering with organ function; and

WHEREAS, in the United States, sarcoidosis most commonly targets the lungs and lymph nodes, but can also affect the skin, eyes, liver, salivary glands, sinuses, kidneys, heart, the muscles and bones, the brain and nervous system; and

WHEREAS, though the exact cause of sarcoidosis is not known, current research indicates that in individuals who are genetically susceptible to sarcoidosis, exposure to bacteria, viruses or chemicals might trigger the disease; and

WHEREAS, while progress has been made in understanding the symptoms and better diagnosing the disease, there is still much to learn about sarcoidosis, but with increased research, the goal of discovering the cause, improving treatment and finding a cure are attainable:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim April 2016, as

Sarcoidosis Awareness Month

in the State of Alabama.

Given Under My Hand and the Great Seal of the Office of the Governor at the State Capitol in the City of Montgomery on the 1^st day of March 2016.

Robert Bentley
Governor