Senate Resolution No. 2101

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
June 2-8, 2024, as Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Awareness Week in the State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to help increase
awareness of serious health conditions 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 June 2-8, 2024, as
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Hidradenitis Suppurativa
Awareness Week; and

WHEREAS, Recognized annually in the first week of June, Hidradenitis
Suppurativa (HS) Awareness Week supports groups, charities, foundations,
and other organizations which provide resources, such as educational
materials, seminars, meetups, and more, with the aim to connect people
around the country who live with HS, share information about HS,
advocate for HS research, and increase public awareness of HS; and

WHEREAS, An estimated 20,000 New Yorkers and 3.3 million Americans
suffer from Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), an immune disease that causes
recurring boils in the folds of the skin; and

WHEREAS, Each year many people are newly diagnosed with Hidradenitis
Suppurativa, affecting both those in early adulthood as well as those in
their 40s and 50s; and

WHEREAS, Hidradenitis Suppurativa is at least three times more
likely to occur in women, and is more prevalent among African-American
and biracial people; and

WHEREAS, Health professionals are often unaware of the symptoms of
Hidradenitis Suppurativa, causing people with Hidradenitis Suppurativa
to suffer for an average of 9 years before they obtain a correct
diagnosis and medical treatment, confirming the need for increased
public and professional awareness of Hidradenitis Suppurativa; and

WHEREAS, This awareness week will foster a greater sense of
community among individuals living with Hidradenitis Suppurative and
help build public awareness of this disease; and

WHEREAS, The Hidradenitis Suppurativa Coalition is dedicated to
transforming the HS landscape and promoting initiatives that improve the
lives of individuals living with HS by driving awareness, addressing
disparities in access and policy barriers, and creating better outcomes
for all impacted by HS; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those
chronically ill people who are living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa and
urges all citizens to support the search for a cure and assist those

individuals and families who deal with this grave disease on a daily
basis; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 2-8, 2024, as
Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week 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.