Senate Resolution No. 1552

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 2024, as Sarcoidosis Awareness Month in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
health issues 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
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2024, as Sarcoidosis
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease which can affect
almost any organ in the body; it causes heightened immunity, which means
that a person's immune system, which normally protects the body from
infection and disease, overreacts, resulting in damage to the body's own
tissues; and

WHEREAS, The classic feature of sarcoidosis is the formation of
granulomas, microscopic clumps of inflammatory cells which group
together, and look like granules; when too many of these clumps form in
an organ, they can interfere with how that organ functions; and

WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis can affect almost any organ in the body
including the heart, skin, liver, kidneys, brain, sinuses, eyes,
muscles, bones, and other areas but it most commonly targets the lungs
and lymph nodes which are an important part of the immune system; and

WHEREAS, When sarcoidosis affects the lungs, it is called pulmonary
sarcoidosis; 90% or more of people diagnosed with the disease have lung
involvement; and

WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis can be tricky to diagnose and is often confused
with other diseases; many people with sarcoidosis think they have the
flu or a respiratory infection before they are properly diagnosed; and

WHEREAS, Common symptoms of sarcoidosis include: cough, shortness of
breath, chest pain, night sweats, fatigue, and wheezing or abnormal
breathing, as well as feeling congested; and

WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis also can cause the following: skin rashes or
raised bumps on the skin, joint pain or stiffness, eye irritation,
dryness of the eyes and sometimes blurry vision, fast heart rate or
lightheadedness, kidney stones, increased levels of calcium in the
bloodstream, and abnormal liver function; and

WHEREAS, The exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown; while no
specific gene mutation has been shown to cause sarcoidosis, it sometimes
runs in families, and there may be a genetic tendency to develop
sarcoidosis; and

WHEREAS, Some research suggests that an infection or exposure to
something in the environment can trigger the immune system to overreact;
unfortunately, many of our heroic First Responders to the 9/11 tragedy
in New York City, have sarcoidosis due to breathing in the heavy dust;
and

WHEREAS, It has been found that people of African and Scandinavian
descent are slightly more likely to develop sarcoidosis than Caucasians;
women are more likely to develop the disease than men; some exposures to
dusty or moldy environments have increased risk of developing
sarcoidosis, and people between 20 to 40 years of age are more likely to
develop sarcoidosis than others; and

WHEREAS, The New York State Legislature continues its commitment to
educate the public in the importance of early detection and prevention,
to support institutions that further research and knowledge in the
treatment of sarcoidosis, and to promote an environment in which a
healthy lifestyle will result in healthy minds and bodies; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 2024, as Sarcoidosis
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.