Congressman Suhas Subramanyam Leads Resolution to Designate May as PSP Awareness Month
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) introduced a resolution to designate May as PSP (Progressive Supranuclear Palsy) Awareness Month. Congressman Subramanyam’s mentor and predecessor, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, was diagnosed with PSP in September 2023.
In honor of May, which is often recognized as Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP) Awareness Month, Congressman Subramanyam introduced this resolution in Congress to spread awareness of PSP, recognize people who have been diagnosed with the disease, and celebrate those working hard to find treatments and cures.
“PSP is a heartbreaking condition that thousands of Americans, including my dear friend Congresswoman Wexton, suffer through,” said Congressman Subramanyam. “We must support all research to improve treatments and ultimately find a cure. I am proud to have the support of my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in recognizing this month and the importance of unlocking a cure.”
“I know personally how scary and devastating a condition PSP can be for those battling it and our loved ones,” said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. “Since my diagnosis, I’ve done all I can to use my platform to bring greater attention to this disease which impacts tens of thousands of Americans, and push for greater investments to prevent, improve treatments, and ultimately cure this terrible disease. I’m proud that so many of my former colleagues from both sides of the aisle have joined Congressman Subramanyam and me this week to raise awareness of what PSP is and the urgent need to step up our fight against it.”
PSP is a neurodegenerative condition that progresses because of a damaging build-up of a protein in the brain called tau. This disease is particularly harmful to parts of the brain that control speech, balance, coordination, and eye-movement, and can have incredibly scary impacts on the quality of life and life expectancy for patients. Most people who suffer from PSP will become dependent on care in just three to four years.
Despite the aggressive nature of PSP, and its impact on over 30,000 individuals and their families, most people have never heard of PSP. It is believed to be as common as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but it does not receive the same type of recognition or funding for research. Right now, there are no known disease-modifying treatments or a cure for PSP. Congressman Subramanyam’s resolution aims to increase awareness, encourage research, and ultimately, help find a cure.
Original cosponsors of this resolution include Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-4), Don Bacon (R-NE-2), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-9), Julia Brownley (D-CA-29), Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MI-5), Steve Cohen (D-TN-9), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-1), Valerie Foushee (D-NC-4), Mike Kelly (R-PA-16), Doris Matsui (D-CA-7), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-4), Jim McGovern (D-MA-2), Mike Quigley (D-IL-5), Mark Pocan (D-WI-2), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-6), Mary Scanlon (D-PA-5), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-3), David Scott (D-GA-13), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ-11), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-28), Greg Stanton (D-AZ-4), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12).
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