DEERFIELD — Bringing awareness to genetic disorders, State Senator Julie Morrison championed a resolution in the Senate declaring September 2026 as Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month in Illinois.
“Muscular Dystrophy is a group of progressive and degenerative disorders, often affecting young children, limiting ones mobility,” said Morrison (D- Lake Forest). “It is imperative that we raise awareness and recognize disorders that continue to significantly impact Illinoisan so we can ensure continued education and research.”
According to the Center for Disease Control, roughly one in every 5,000 males aged five to nine years are living with a form of muscular dystrophy. Muscular Dystrophy is defined as a group of diseases that cause muscles to become weaker and degenerate over time. This is due to changes in the genes that make proteins needed to form healthy muscles.
Although prevalence of these disorders is commonly found in young boys, some types don’t develop until adulthood.
Recognizing the progressive, degenerative and significant mobility limitations muscular dystrophy has on individuals and families, Senate Resolution 571 declares September 2026 in Illinois Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month – raising awareness of all forms of the disease and to encourage education, public understanding and continued research of the many subtypes of disease.
Senate Resolution 571 was adopted on Friday.
