WHEREAS, Spina Bifida is one of the most common permanently disabling birth defects, affecting approximately 166,000 individuals in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Spina Bifida is commonly referred to as the “snowflake condition” of birth defects because no two cases are the same, with symptoms ranging from mild to severe; and
WHEREAS, no one knows for sure what causes Spina Bifida, but doctors and scientists believe that a complex mix of both genetic and environmental factors act together to cause the condition; and
WHEREAS, other variations of Spina Bifida include Spinal Dysraphism, Lipomyelomeningocele, Fatty Filum Terminale, Split Cord Malformation, and Terminal Myelocystocele; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina commends the many organizations, groups, agencies, and individuals working to increase awareness, provide education, encourage prevention, and promote accessible health care to reduce the prevalence of Spina Bifida in communities throughout our state;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim October 2023 as “SPINA BIFIDA AWARENESS MONTH” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.