September has been declared "Pain Awareness Month" in Salisbury Township.

The Salisbury Township Board of Commissioners voted 4-0, with one commissioner absent Aug. 28, for the proclamation.

According to the proclamation, township residents are encouraged to observe the month "by learning how to improve the quality of life of our fellow citizens suffering from pain."

Commissioners issued the proclamation at the behest of Julian Phillips, a Salisbury Township resident who addressed commissioners at the Aug. 14 township meeting and said he has battled chronic pain for more than 30 years.

Phillips thanked commissioners Aug. 28 for making the proclamation, which states "more than 100 million Americans live with chronic pain."

Commissioners were given pain awareness information from the U.S. Pain Foundation and a profile of Phillips by the Invisible Project.

Phillips, identified as a U.S. Pain Ambassador, would like to display pain awareness posters in the township.

In his early 20s, according to the Invisible Project profile, Phillips, who lived in London before emigrating to the United States, was athletic and enjoyed playing water polo.

Phillips was diagnosed with Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, a neurological and chronic pain disorder. RSD is said to cause nerves in the body to misfire, sending constant pain signals to the brain.

"While I suffer every day, I know I can make a difference. I just want to be a strong voice and bring visibility to an invisible cause," it's stated by Phillips on the Invisible Project profile.

The U.S. Pain Foundation is a nonprofit for those with pain, their families and care providers. For more information, visit uspainfoundation.org.