Senate Resolution No. 243

BY: Senator PERSAUD

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
September 2023, as Blood Cancer 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
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, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2023, as Blood
Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Blood Cancer Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, During September, National Blood Cancer Awareness Month
sheds light on the cancers that affect the blood and lymphatic systems;
and

WHEREAS, This vital observance focuses its attention on all blood
cancers, including leukemia, lymphoma, multiple myeloma, and
myelodysplastic syndromes; by raising awareness, the goal is to inform
the public about the causes of blood cancers, how to identify the
symptoms, available treatments, and progress made through research; and

WHEREAS, Blood cancers affect white blood cells or in some cases,
red blood cells or platelets; while no effective screening exists,
knowing the symptoms and risk factors helps to understand when to see a
doctor; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms of blood cancers include: lymph node swelling,
persistent fatigue, night sweats, fever, difficulty catching breath
and/or unexplained weight loss; and

WHEREAS, Risk factors of blood cancers include: family history,
genetic disorders, smoking, exposure to radiation or chemotherapy,
individuals with HIV who take immune-suppressing drugs, and people with
Epstein-Barr; and

WHEREAS, Although the leukemia survival rate has quadrupled since
1960, in the United States, approximately 14,000 people are diagnosed
with blood cancers every month; depending on the type of cancer, the
survival rate varies; and

WHEREAS, Hodgkin's lymphoma, for example, has a much higher survival
rate and is diagnosed less often; conversely, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma
will be diagnosed more often and will have a lower expectation of
survival; and

WHEREAS, Even though survival rates continue to improve, someone in
the United States dies from a blood cancer every nine minutes; in the
United States, nearly 10% of the people who die from cancer, die from
blood cancer; and

WHEREAS, Awareness and education are powerful tools in the race to
find a cure for blood cancers; and

WHEREAS, The health and vitality of the people of New York are
significantly enhanced by local efforts to increase communication and
education pertaining to blood cancers; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health issue, 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 September 2023, as Blood
Cancer 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.