Assembly Resolution No. 231

BY: M. of A. Norris

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 27, 2023, as Amniotic Fluid Embolism Awareness
Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing
official days established to increase awareness of serious health issues
that affect the lives of all New Yorkers; 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 March 27, 2023, as
Amniotic Fluid Embolism Awareness Day in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Amniotic Fluid Embolism
Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, Amniotic Fluid Embolism Awareness Day was established to
bring attention to this devastating and often-fatal pregnancy
complication and the importance of reducing maternal mortality resulting
from it; and

WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control, the maternal
mortality rate in the United States increased from 20.1 in 2019 to 23.8
in 2020 per 100,000 live births; and

WHEREAS, As of 2018, the maternal mortality rate in the State of New
York was 18.1 deaths per 100,000 live births; by 2024, the New York
State Health Plan aims to substantially lower that figure to 16 per
100,000; and

WHEREAS, AFE is thought to be the result of an allergic-like
reaction to the amniotic fluid or fetal cells that have entered the
circulatory system during childbirth, a normal part of the birth
process; and

WHEREAS, Established in 2008, the AFE Foundation, working in
collaboration with key stakeholders in New York, provides meaningful
education and life-saving skills to properly prepare healthcare
providers to manage and treat patients, increase lives saved, and gain
submissions to the AFE Registry and Biorepository; and

WHEREAS, Currently under the luminous leadership of Executive
Director Miranda Klassen, the AFE Foundation has served 1,500 families
globally, educated more than 10,000 clinicians, and submitted more than
250 cases to the AFE Registry; and

WHEREAS, Awareness of AFE and commensurate data collection and
research will promote understanding of this disorder, expand the search
for an effective treatment, and accelerate the increase of the number of
lives saved; and

WHEREAS, After losing his wife Ali to this tragic birth complication
in 2019, Justin Waclawek founded the Alison Rose Foundation the

following year to raise funds for AFE awareness initiatives and
research, and medical care for children and mothers; and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, the Alison Rose Foundation has
sponsored numerous events which have raised significant funds that were
donated to the AFE Foundation, Golisano Children's Hospital, Sister's
Hospital Foundation, and Oishei Children's Hospital of Buffalo
Foundation; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity at
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 March 27, 2023, as
Amniotic Fluid Embolism Awareness Day in the State of New York, and to
urge the citizens of this great Empire State to learn about the causes,
symptoms, diagnoses and treatments for Amniotic Fluid Embolism; 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; Miranda Klassen, Executive Director, AFE Foundation; and Justin
Waclawek, President, Alison Rose Foundation.