Senate Resolution No. 1081

BY: Senator PALUMBO

COMMENDING the Ocular Melanoma Foundation upon the
occasion of hosting its Eye Patch Days on May 19-21,
2023

WHEREAS, It is incumbent upon the people of the State of New York to
commend and recognize those esteemed individuals and organizations
within the medical community for their extraordinary and sustained
contributions to the progress of medicine and the improvement of life;
and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commend the Ocular
Melanoma Foundation upon the occasion of hosting its Eye Patch Days on
May 19-21, 2023, in conjunction with the observance of National Melanoma
Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Ocular Melanoma (OM), scientifically named uveal melanoma,
is a cancer (melanoma) of the eye involving the iris, ciliary body, or
choroid, collectively referred to as the uvea; and

WHEREAS, Tumors arise from the pigment cells (melanocytes) that
reside within the uvea giving color to the eye; these melanocytes are
distinct from the retinal pigment epithelium cells underlying the retina
that do not form melanomas; and

WHEREAS, The Ocular Melanoma Foundation (OMF) was established in
2003 by Dr. Robert C. Allen, a Harvard-trained ophthalmologist, and his
eldest son, Grant Allen; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Allen was also an OM patient, and in confronting this
relatively rare disease as both doctor and patient, he was struck by the
lack of up-to-date treatment information available to patients, their
families and healthcare professionals, as well as the paucity of
research initiatives devoted to ocular/uveal melanoma as a melanoma
wholly distinct from skin cancer; and

WHEREAS, Today, a nonprofit charitable corporation, the Ocular
Melanoma Foundation remains the leading resource for eye cancer research
funding and patient/caregiver support, and is often the first stop in a
newly diagnosed patient's treatment journey; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this vital organization is committed to
accelerating and enhancing scientific research, advocacy, and awareness
of ocular melanoma, as well as to providing education and support to
patients, their families, and healthcare professionals; and

WHEREAS, Specifically, OMF is raising funds, engaging academicians
and clinicians, and actively partnering with foundations and other
leading agencies supporting cancer research to: support and accelerate
scientific research and discovery and its translation into effective
treatment options for patients; provide resources for education and
support to OM patients, their families, and to healthcare professionals
treating OM; and act as an advocate within the melanoma and broader

cancer community to raise the awareness of OM and the need for a cure;
and

WHEREAS, As part of Melanoma Awareness Month, OMF is proud to
support the annual Eye Patch Days to increase awareness of ocular
melanoma and the need for dilated eye exams; and

WHEREAS, On these days, OMF Warriors around the globe will wear eye
patches to raise awareness for ocular melanoma; wearing an eye patch is
a great way to start a conversation with co-workers, friends and
neighbors about OM and how important it is to see an ophthalmologist
regularly; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, it is imperative that there be greater public
awareness of this serious health issue, and more must be done to
increase activity at the local, state, and national levels to support
these patients as well as their families; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our
attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Ocular Melanoma Foundation upon the occasion of hosting its
Eye Patch Days on May 19-21, 2023; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to the Ocular Melanoma Foundation.