Governor Proclaims Gastroschisis Awareness Day 2024

GASTROSCHISIS AWARENESS DAY

2024

BY THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

A PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, 1 in 2,400 individuals are born with gastroschisis in the United States, and roughly the same number are born with the birth defect in North Carolina annually; and

WHEREAS, this condition is a birth defect in which a hole in the abdominal wall may result in intestines and other organs extending outside the baby’s body; and

WHEREAS, many people living with gastroschisis have serious and debilitating conditions that can

have a significant impact on their lives, including a failure to thrive, slow growth, short bowel syndrome, the potential for multiple organ transplants, and long-term feeding issues; and

WHEREAS, gastroschisis appears to be more prevalent in the babies of younger teenage mothers, and women who consume alcohol or smoke before or during early pregnancy may be more likely to have a baby with gastroschisis; and

WHEREAS, individuals and families affected by gastroschisis often experience problems such as a sense of isolation, difficulty in obtaining an accurate and timely diagnosis, few treatment options, and problems related to accessing or being reimbursed for treatment; and

WHEREAS, the cause of gastroschisis is relatively unknown; continued research is vital to further understanding this rare condition; and

WHEREAS, hundreds of residents of North Carolina are among those affected by gastroschisis; and

WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina encourages residents to educate themselves about gastroschisis and its symptoms in order to be diagnosed earlier and receive necessary treatment;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim July 30, 2024, as “GASTROSCHISIS AWARENESS DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.

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Roy Cooper

Governor

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this twenty-second day of July in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-four and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-ninth.