Whereas , A1AD is a genetic disease of the liver and lungs caused by the lack of a protein in a person's blood, which protects the lungs from germs, dust, air pollution, smoke, and other inhaled irritants; and,

Whereas , A1AD is seen as a liver disease in infants and young children and manifests in adults as early-onset emphysema; however, it is often misdiagnosed as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or early-onset Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) due to lack of knowledge and understanding of this disease; and,

Whereas , A1AD is particularly devastating to families as it can strike adults during the prime of life, and an estimated 25 million people in the United States carry a single deficient gene that causes A1AD; and,

Whereas , May has been identified as a month for increased awareness, screenings, conferences, and events to encourage early detection and organ donation as lung transplantation is an option sought by many patients as the disease progresses; now therefore be it,

Resolved , That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim May 2008, as Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Awareness Month, and I encourage citizens to learn more about this disease and its consequences.