LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing September 23, 2013, as National Rest-
less Legs Syndrome - Willis-Ekbom Disease Awareness Day

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious conditions that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to recog-
nize September 23, 2013, as National Restless Legs Syndrome - Willis-Ek-
bom Disease Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, Restless Legs Syndrome, also known as Willis-Ekbom disease,
is a neurological disorder characterized by unpleasant sensations in the
legs and a distressing, irresistible urge to move them; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 10 million adults in the United States, three
percent of the country, and millions of others worldwide have been
affected by Restless Legs Syndrome, a disease for which there is no
known cure; and
WHEREAS, The diagnostic accuracy of Restless Legs Syndrome is an issue
among clinicians; of those meeting the criteria for Restless Legs
Syndrome in the Restless Legs Syndrome Epidemiology, Symptoms, and
Treatment (REST) study, only 6.2% of patients received a diagnosis of
Willis-Ekbom disease; and
WHEREAS, Symptoms typically include an urge to move the legs caused by
uncomfortable and unpleasant sensations in the legs, presenting or wors-
ening in the evening or night, and daytime symptoms of Restless Legs
Syndrome have been established; and
WHEREAS, Restless Legs Syndrome has an impact on sleep, concentration,
and work productivity; with 68.6% of patients needing more than 30
minutes (generally regarded as pathologic) to initiate sleep and 60.1%
waking three or more times per night; with 49.7% of patients reporting
that symptoms adversely affect next day concentration; and with patients
with moderate-to-severe Restless Legs Syndrome having an overall mean
loss of workplace productivity of 1 day per 40-hour work week; and
WHEREAS, Increased awareness and expanded knowledge of the realities
of life with Restless Legs Syndrome will allow the community at large to
better support people who struggle with the challenges of this condi-
tion; and
WHEREAS, The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation, a nonprofit organiza-
tion, and other groups throughout the United States have joined together
to promote Restless Legs Syndrome awareness and support including
improved education, diagnosis, research, and treatment; and
WHEREAS, The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation is urging patients and
their supporters, healthcare providers, and the general public to demon-
strate their regard for the affliction these patients contend with on a
daily basis, by sharing the facts about Restless Legs Syndrome, and
ever-growing awareness about the etiology of this disorder and treat-
ments; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activ-
ity at the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize September 23, 2013, as National Restless Legs Syndrome -
Willis-Ekbom Disease Awareness Day, and to urge all citizens to support
the search for a cure and assist those individuals and families who deal
with this condition on a daily basis; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation.