Title
Proclamation recognizing the Heart of Gold Foundation for Sarcoidosis for raising funds and regional awareness of Sarcoidosis through the Kenneth Glen Dixon, Sr. Walk/Run for Sarcoidosis on June 10, 2007.
Body
WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis is a chronic systemic disease for which there is no known cure or treatment, which causes abnormal function in a number of organs throughout the human body and afflicts approximately 1,500 Pennsylvanians each year, and which is often not detected as its symptoms mimic many other afflictions; and
WHEREAS, Kenneth Glen Dixon, Sr. suddenly passed away as a result of undiagnosed Cardiac Sarcoidosis on January 31, 2006; and
WHEREAS, his widow, Rena Dixon, has founded the Heart of Gold Foundation for Sarcoidosis in order to educate the victims of Sarcoidosis and their families, as well as to provide a support forum; and
WHEREAS, the Heart of Gold Foundation ultimately intends to open the Kenneth G. Dixon Center for Excellence in Sarcoidosis to provide clinical care for Sarcoidosis patients, to serve as an educational resource for medical professionals, and to perform vital Sarcoidosis research; and
WHEREAS, in order to raise both necessary funding and regional awareness, the Heart of Gold Foundation is hosting the inaugural Kenneth Glen Dixon, Sr. Walk/Run for Sarcoidosis on Sunday, June 10, 2007 in Highland Park;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Allegheny County Council does hereby recognize and commend the Heart of Gold Foundation for Sarcoidosis for its efforts at informing the public about the existence and effects of Sarcoidosis, as well as for its noble desire to aid the medical profession in identifying the means of treating and, ultimately, curing this disease. Dedication to the cause of protecting the public's health and well-being is always to be praised, and it is a fitting tribute to the memory of Kenneth Dixon, Sr. that we honor his spirit in the determined pursuit of a cure for this disease.