A PROCLAMATION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA, COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, STATE OF CALIFORNIA, PROCLAIMING SEPTEMBER 2024 AS “CHIARI MALFORMATION AWARENESS MONTH” IN THE CITY OF POMONA WHEREAS, Chiari malformation is a serious neurological disorder affecting over 300,000 people in the United States, first identified by Austrian pathologist Professor Hans Chiari in the 1890's; and WHEREAS, Chiari malformations are defects in the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls balance, that 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, Chiari malformation affects 1 in 1,000 people and is nearly as prevalent as multiple sclerosis, a well-known condition; and WHEREAS, symptoms usually appear during adolescence or early adulthood and can include severe head and neck pain, vertigo, muscle weakness, balance problems, blurred 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 to create improved treatment and prevention plans; and WHEREAS, Chiari Malformation Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness about the signs and symptoms of this disorder and support research.
NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF POMONA does hereby proclaim September 2024 as:
“Chiari Malformation Awareness Month”
Dated this 16th day of September, 2024