WHEREAS, in September 2022, events will be held throughout our state by the North Carolina chapters of Conquer Chiari to support families affected by Chiari malformation; and
WHEREAS, Chiari malformation (CM) is a serious neurological disorder affecting well over 300,000 people in the United States, first identified by Austrian pathologist Professor Hans Chiari in the 1890's and categorized in order of severity: CM types 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 3, and 4; and
WHEREAS, Chiari malformations are defects in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance; these defects create pressure on the cerebellum and brain stem and may block the normal flow of cerebral spinal fluid to and from the brain; and
WHEREAS, the cause of Chiari I malformation is unknown, but scientists believe it is either a congenital condition caused by exposure to harmful substances during fetal development or a genetic condition, as it may appear in more than one family member; and
WHEREAS, symptoms usually appear during adolescence or early adulthood and can include severe head and neck pain, vertigo, muscle weakness, balance problems, blurred vision or double vision, difficulty swallowing, and sleep apnea; and
WHEREAS, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke of the National Institutes of Health is conducting research to find alternative surgical options and identify the cause of the malformations to create improved treatment and prevention plans;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim September, 2022, as “CHIARI MALFORMATION AWARENESS MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.