A Governor’s Proclamation Guide for FH Awareness Day and Lp(a) Awareness Day
A Governor’s Proclamation is a document making a declaration on behalf of the entire state. They can help influence policy discussions, public awareness, and provide opportunities to engage your community in your cause.
The Family Heart Foundation established FH Awareness Day (September 24) in 2012 and Lp(a) Awareness Day (March 24) in 2022. On those days, we raise our voices so the world can understand why they should #KnowFH and #KnowLpa. One amazing way to do this is to apply for a Governor’s Proclamation to recognize these days in your state!
These forms must be filled out each year to proclaim FH and Lp(a) Awareness Days, so check out the guidelines in your state and mark your calendars to submit this easy form once/twice a year.
What You Need for a Governor’s Proclamation
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 Background
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.
Family Heart Foundation Background
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 Background
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 24th and has transformed into a global movement adopted by many countries throughout the world.
Proclamation Language for FH Awareness Day
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].
Proclamation Language for Lp(a) Awareness Day
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].
Your Story
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.
Apply in Your State
Alabama
https://contact.governor.alabama.gov/contact_procs.aspx
Notice Required: 30 days
Alaska
http://aws.state.ak.us/CrmForms/Home/WebRequest
Notice Required: 6 weeks
Arizona
https://azgovernor.gov/engage/form/proclamation-request
Notice Required: 6 weeks
Arkansas
https://governor.arkansas.gov/online-services/proclamation-request
Notice Required: 30 days
California
Notice Required: 90 days
Must be evaluated and sponsored by the state agency under which the proclamation topic falls. The agency works directly with the requestor to determine if the agency will sponsor the proclamation.
Colorado
https://www.colorado.gov/governor/proclamations
Notice Required: 4 weeks
Connecticut
https://portal.ct.gov/governor/contact/request-a-proclamation?language=en_US
Notice Required: 4 weeks
Delaware
https://governor.delaware.gov/request-proclamation-tribute
Notice Required: 3 weeks
Florida
https://www.flgov.com/proclamations
Notice Required: 6 weeks
Georgia
https://gov.georgia.gov/contact-us/proclamations/proclamation-request
Notice Required: 45 days
Guam
https://governor.guam.gov/contact-us/
Notice Required: 8 weeks
Hawaii
https://governor.hawaii.gov/contact-us/request-a-commemorative-message/
Notice Required: 4 weeks
Idaho
https://gov.idaho.gov/proclamations/
Notice Required: 3 weeks
Illinois https://www2.illinois.gov/sites/gov/contactus/Pages/Proclamation.aspx
Notice Required: 4 weeks
Indiana
https://www.in.gov/gov/2916.htm
Notice Required: 8 weeks
Iowa
https://governor.iowa.gov/services/request-proclamation
Notice Required: 6 weeks
Kansas
Notice Required: 8 weeks
Kentucky https://secure.kentucky.gov/formservices/Governor/ProclamationRequestForm
Notice Required: 30 days
Louisiana
http://gov.louisiana.gov/index.cfm/form/home/13
Notice Required: 30 days
Maine
https://www.maine.gov/governor/mills/contact/request_proclamation
Notice Required: 45 days
Maryland
https://md.accessgov.com/governor/Forms/Page/cs/letter/
Notice Required: 30 days
Massachusetts
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/request-a-proclamation-from-governor-baker
Notice Required: 20 days
Michigan
https://www.michigan.gov/whitmer/0,9309,7-387-90499_90639—,00.html
Notice Required: 4 weeks
Minnesota
https://mn.gov/governor/news/proclamationrequest.jsp
Notice Required: 20 days
Mississippi
https://tatereeves.com/contactus/
Notice Required: 30 days
Missouri
https://governor.mo.gov/contact-us/proclamation-request
Notice Required: 60 days
Montana
Notice Required: 2 weeks
This Governor does not issue proclamations, rather the office will issue “Letters of Support” via email or by U.S. mail.
Nebraska
https://governor.nebraska.gov/proclamation-request
Notice Required: 30 days
Nevada
http://gov.nv.gov/Forms/Request_a_Proclamation/
Notice Required: 4 weeks
North Carolina
https://governor.nc.gov/request/request-proclamation
Notice Required: 120 days
North Dakota
https://www.governor.nd.gov/contact-us
Notice Required: 30 days
New Hampshire
https://new-hampshire.secure.force.com/support/GOV_Proclamation
Notice Required: 30 days
New Jersey
https://nj.gov/governor/contact/proclamations
Notice Required: 8 weeks
New Mexico
https://www.governor.state.nm.us/contact-the-governor/requesting-a-proclamation/
Notice Required: 45 days
New York
https://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form Notice Required: 30 days
Ohio
https://www.governor.ohio.gov/Contact/Contact-the-Governor
Notice Required: 30 days
Oklahoma
https://oklahoma.gov/governor/contact/commendation-or-proclamation.html
Notice Required: 30 days
Oregon
https://www.oregon.gov/gov/Pages/Proclamation-Request-Guidelines.aspx
Notice Required: 30 days
Pennsylvania
https://www.governor.pa.gov/contact/#OnlineForm
Notice Required: 6 to 8 weeks
Puerto Rico
https://www.statedepartment.pr.gov/proclamations
Notice Required: 60 working days
Rhode Island
http://www.governor.ri.gov/contact/
Notice Required: 45 days
South Carolina
https://contactgovernor.my.site.com/constituents/s/contact-the-governor
Notice Required: 30 days
South Dakota
https://governor.sd.gov/office/executive-proclamation.aspx
Notice Required: 3-4 weeks
Tennessee
https://www.tn.gov/governor/contact-us/constituent-requests/proclamation-request.html
Notice Required: 21 days
Texas
https://gov.texas.gov/apps/contact-us/assistance
Notice Required: 30 days
Utah
https://sf.gov.utah.gov/Contact/s/declaration
Notice Required: 30 days
Vermont
https://vermontce.my.vermont.gov/s/governor-office-ce?tabset-171b4=2 Notice Required: 6 weeks
Virginia
https://www.governor.virginia.gov/constituent-services/request-a-proclamation
Notice Required: 45 working days
Washington
Notice Required: 30 days
West Virginia
https://wv.accessgov.com/governor/Forms/Page/gov-request-proclamation/proclamation-governor/
Notice Required: 30 days
Wisconsin
https://evers.wi.gov/Pages/Newsroom/Proclamations.aspx
Notice Required: 45 days
Wyoming
https://governor.wyo.gov/contact/proclamation-requests
Notice Required: 45 days