County of Monmouth

For Immediate Release:

September 16, 2014

 

Freeholders promote
Charcot-Marie-Tooth Awareness
Inherited disorder affects the
peripheral nerves outside brain and spine

 

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders is promoting Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) awareness by declaring the month of September as “Charcot-Marie-Tooth Awareness Month” in Monmouth County. The Monmouth County Board of Chosen Freeholders present a proclamation declaring “Charcot-Marie-Tooth (CMT) Awareness Month” in Monmouth County to Central NJ CMT Support and Action Group Co-Facilitator Jacky Donahue and Facilitator Mark Willis on Sept. 11, 2014 in Freehold, NJ. Pictured left to right: Freeholder Thomas A. Arnone, Freeholder Lillian G. Burry, Freeholder Serena DiMaso, Jacky Donahue, Mark Willis, Freeholder Deputy Director Gary J. Rich, Sr. and Freeholder John P. Curley.

 

“CMT is an inherited disorder that affects the peripheral nerves that can cause those affected to lose control of their extremities,” said Freeholder Serena DiMaso. “It is so important to raise awareness of this disorder and to promote research and support for finding a cure.”

 

There are more than 70 kinds of CMT which is a group of inherited disorders that affect the peripheral nerves, which are the nerves outside the brain and spinal cord affecting an estimated 2.6 million people worldwide.

 

An inherited peripheral neuropathy, CMT is one of 40 diseases covered by the Muscular Dystrophy Association, but unlike muscular dystrophy, in which the defect is in the muscles, CMT is a disorder in which the defect is in the nerves that control the muscles and can lead to loss of sensory nerve functions.

 

A proclamation for “Charcot-Marie-Tooth Awareness Month” was presented on Sept. 11 to Mark Willis, Facilitator of the Central NJ CMT Support and Action Group, and Jacky Donahue, Co-facilitator of the Central NJ CMT Support and Action Group, who both have CMT.

 

 

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