A Governor’s Proclamation Guide for FH Awareness Day and Lp(a) Awareness Day

What you’ll need for a proclamation may vary from state to state. You may need to fill out a form, you may need to write a letter to the governor, or you may have to do both.  The following information should cover all the things you need, but should you need more, feel free to email [email protected].

FH Awareness Day (est. 2012) is a campaign initiated by the Family Heart Foundation to raise awareness of familial hypercholesterolemia in the general public. This annual event is held on September 24th, during National Cholesterol Education Month, and has transformed into a global movement adopted by many countries throughout the world.

The Family Heart Foundation is a 501c(3) patient-centered non-profit organization dedicated to research, advocacy, and education of all forms of Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH) and elevated Lipoprotein(a). Our mission is to raise awareness and save lives by increasing the rate of early diagnosis and encouraging proactive treatment. FH is a common genetic disorder that causes high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol from birth. Lifelong exposure to high LDL cholesterol can lead to heart disease, but with early diagnosis and consistent treatment, individuals with FH can live longer, healthier lives.

Requested Title of Proclamation

Be sure to put “Familial Hypercholesterolemia Awareness Day” or “Lipoprotein(a) Awareness Day” as your requested proclamation title as many people won’t know what FH or Lp(a) are.

Lp(a) Awareness Day (est. 2022) is a campaign initiated by the Family Heart Foundation to raise awareness of elevated lipoprotein(a) in the general public. This annual event is held on March 24^th and has transformed into a global movement adopted by many countries throughout the world.

Use the below language and be sure to replace the parts marked in red to apply to you and your state.

To calculate the estimated people in your state with FH, take the state population and divide it by 250.

Governor’s Proclamation

WHEREAS, Familial Hypercholesterolemia is the most common genetic condition causing high levels of LDL cholesterol (also known as “bad” cholesterol) and an increased risk for early and aggressive cardiovascular disease, and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that [INSERT ESTIMATED NUMBER OF PEOPLE AFFECTED BY FH (use population/250 to get an estimate] individuals in [INSERT YOUR STATE] have Familial Hypercholesterolemia, but fewer than 30 percent of those people have actually been diagnosed; and,

WHEREAS, five percent of heart attacks that occur in individuals under age 60 and up to 20 percent of heart attacks that occur in individuals under age 45 are due to Familial Hypercholesterolemia; and,

WHEREAS, Familial Hypercholesterolemia can be identified via the collection of a detailed family history of cardiovascular disease and a blood cholesterol screen and if necessary, confirmed with DNA testing; and,

WHEREAS, cholesterol screening is recommended for children at age 2 with a family history of high cholesterol or early onset cardiovascular disease; for all children between the ages of 9 and 11; once again, for all young adults between the ages of 17 and 21; and for all adults approximately every 5 years; and,

WHEREAS, the parents, siblings, and children of a person diagnosed with Familial Hypercholesterolemia have a 50 percent chance to also have Familial Hypercholesterolemia and should be screened to determine whether they do have Familial Hypercholesterolemia; and,

WHEREAS, early treatment with cholesterol-lowering medications in individuals with Familial Hypercholesterolemia can reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease; and,

NOW THEREFORE, I, [INSERT YOUR GOVERNOR’S NAME], Governor of [INSERT YOUR STATE], do hereby proclaim September 24, 2024 as Familial Hypercholesterolemia Awareness Day in [INSERT YOUR STATE].

Use the below language and be sure to replace the parts marked in red to apply to you and your state.

Governor’s Proclamation

WHEREAS, elevated lipoprotein(a) level is an important genetic risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and death

WHEREAS, it is estimated that 1 in 5 people in the United States have elevated lipoprotein(a), but fewer than 5 percent of Americans have had their lipoprotein(a) levels tested; and,

WHEREAS, elevated lipoprotein(a) can be identified via the collection of a blood screen, but it is not on a standard lipid panel and most asked for and ordered separately; and,

WHEREAS, treatment for high lipoprotein(a) is limited, but if you have elevated lipoprotein(a) medical guidelines emphasize lowering LDL (“bad” cholesterol) with approved medications to reduce cardiovascular risk ; and,

NOW THEREFORE, I, [INSERT YOUR GOVERNOR’S NAME], Governor of [INSERT YOUR STATE], do hereby proclaim March 24, 2025 as Lipoprotein(a) Awareness Day in [INSERT YOUR STATE].

If there’s a space for more information or a personal letter, this is great place to appeal to your governor with a personal story of how one of these genetic conditions has affected your life.