Senate Resolution No. 2645

BY: Senator TEDISCO

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
October 2024, as AVM 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
diseases 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 October 2024, as AVM
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National AVM Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Brain Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) are abnormal
connections between arteries and veins, usually in the brain or spine,
that can be fatal if left undetected; and

WHEREAS, Normally, arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the
heart to the body's cells, organs, and tissues and veins return blood
with less oxygen to the lungs and heart, but in an AVM, the absence of
capillaries allows blood to pass directly from arteries to veins,
missing tissue that needs oxygenated blood; and

WHEREAS, In most cases, people with AVMs in the brain or spinal cord
experience few, if any, significant symptoms, and in some cases, a
weakened blood vessel may burst, spilling blood into the brain
(hemorrhage) that can cause stroke and brain damage; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms caused by AVMs can appear at any age, because the
malformations tend to result from a slow buildup of neurological damage
over time; they are most often noticed when people are in their 20s or
older; and

WHEREAS, An AVM is very rare and affects less than one percent of
the population, or about 10 per 100,000 people, with an estimated
300,000 Americans affected by this condition, and a detection of 284
prospective AVM patients in New York according to a New York Islands AVM
Study; and

WHEREAS, The Joe Niekro Foundation (named after the legendary
baseball player) has been steadfast in its commitment to aiding in the
research and treatment of brain aneurysms, AVMs and hemorrhagic strokes;
and

WHEREAS, The Foundation's goal is to raise awareness about the risk
factors, causes and treatments of these conditions, while helping
support the advancement of neurological research; 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 October 2024, as AVM
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York and Brain Aneurysm, AVM. Stroke and Brain Trauma Support Groups of
New York State.