WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-40) introduced a resolution recognizing October 5th as National Peroxisomal Disorder Awareness Day to raise awareness of these rare genetic disorders and recognize the patients and families impacted by them.
Peroxisomal disorders are estimated to affect roughly 1 in 50,000 births. These rare genetic conditions can affect nearly every system in the body, and severe forms are often terminal in childhood. Patients may experience hearing and vision loss, developmental delays, adrenal insufficiency, neurological complications, and feeding difficulties. There is currently no cure for peroxisomal disorders, and treatment options remain extremely limited.
For families, a diagnosis brings years of specialist visits, complex daily care, and financial and emotional strain, often with few answers along the way. For the Overly family of Lake Forest, this struggle is all too real. Brooke Overly’s daughter Melody was diagnosed with a Peroxisomal Disorder. Melody’s grandfather, Michael Curry, helped spearhead the effort to establish National Peroxisomal Disorder Awareness Day.
“After meeting Melody and her mother Brooke, I saw firsthand the strength it takes for a family to face a rare diagnosis with so few answers,” said Rep. Young Kim. “No parent should have to navigate a devastating diagnosis with so little information available about specialists, treatments, or what comes next. I’m proud to introduce this resolution to raise awareness of peroxisomal disorders, recognize families like the Overlys, and bring greater attention to the need for better understanding, treatments, and ultimately a cure.”
Read the resolution text HERE.
