WHEREAS, X-Linked Hypophosphatemia (XLH) is a whole-body, whole-life rare genetic disorder that can affect a patient’s bones, joints, teeth, hearing, muscles, and nervous system; and
WHEREAS, XLH affects about one in 20,000 newborns, according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH); and
WHEREAS, the effects of the disease cause serious and debilitating symptoms that can have a major impact on the lives of people who suffer from XLH and their families; and
WHEREAS, affected patients and their families often encounter a variety of problems outside the illness itself, such as difficulty in obtaining accurate and timely diagnoses, finding effective treatment options, and/or being able to afford the appropriate treatment; and
WHEREAS, while XLH has no cure, dedicated researchers around the world continue their efforts to understand how genetic mutations work with the hope that a cure may someday be found; and
WHEREAS, the State of North Carolina joins X-Linked Hypophosphatemia patients, their families, and advocacy organizations, such as the XLH network, in raising awareness of this disorder, promoting educational programs for new parents and healthcare providers, and embracing hope for a cure;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, ROY COOPER, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim June 23, 2023, as “XLH AWARENESS DAY” in North Carolina, and commend its observance to all citizens.