Senate Resolution No. 1580

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
April 21, 2024, as Acute Myeloid Leukemia Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
illnesses 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, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 21, 2024, as Acute
Myeloid Leukemia Day (AML) in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of AML World Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, AML World Awareness Day is the one day of the year that
people from all around the world can come together to help raise
awareness of this cancer and tell the world that AML is a cancer that
cannot be ignored; and

WHEREAS, AML is a rare aggressive cancer of the blood and bone
marrow; it is the most common form of acute leukemia in adults; and

WHEREAS, Normally, blood cells are made from stem cells (immature
cells) in the bone marrow which is the soft inner part of the bone; and

WHEREAS, A blood stem cell can become either a myeloid stem cell or
a lymphoid stem cell; a myeloid stem cell in healthy bone marrow can
give rise to three different mature types of cells which together make
up the blood; these include: red blood cells - they give blood its red
color and are responsible for carrying oxygen from the lungs to all
parts of the body; white blood cells - they fight infections and
disease; and platelets - they help blood to clot and prevent bleeding;
and

WHEREAS, In AML, there is an abnormal production of one or more of
these blood cells in the bone marrow due to certain changes in the
genetic material (DNA); these are called genetic abnormalities; and

WHEREAS, These abnormal cells are called leukemia cells and can fill
up the bone marrow and spill into the blood, where they can spread to
parts of the body including the brain, skin, spleen and gums; and

WHEREAS, As a result, the production of normal blood cells is
affected, and the bone marrow cannot make enough healthy blood cells;
and

WHEREAS, The most common signs and symptoms of AML include shortness
of breath, bruising, fever, weakness, and infection; usually, AML
develops quickly and becomes worse unless it is treated; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it


RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim April 21, 2024, as Acute
Myeloid Leukemia Day 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.