Assembly Resolution No. 324

BY: M. of A. Wallace

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
October 7, 2023, as Ostomy Awareness Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing
official months established to increase awareness of serious issues that
affect the lives of all New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 7, 2023, as Ostomy Awareness
Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observation of
World Ostomy Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, Ostomy Awareness Day is held annually on the first Saturday
of October, which coincides with World Ostomy Awareness Day, a health
observance where the world unites every three years to raise ostomy
awareness; and

WHEREAS, Sponsored by the International Ostomy Association, World
Ostomy Awareness Day is meant to raise awareness and increase both state
and national visibility of those living with ostomies; in the United
States, the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA), is the
leading organization proactively advocating on behalf of the ostomy
community; and

WHEREAS, An ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an opening
(stoma) in the abdomen which allows for the removal of bodily waste when
a person has lost the normal function of digestive or urinary systems
due to birth defects, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, Crohn's
disease, ulcerative colitis, and other medical conditions; and

WHEREAS, An ostomy is also necessary in cases of severe abdominal or
pelvic trauma resulting from accidents or injuries sustained during
military service; and

WHEREAS, The bodily waste passes through the stoma into an ostomy
"pouch" on the outside of the body or in the case of continent diversion
surgeries, an internal surgically created reservoir; and

WHEREAS, Ostomy is a life-saving and life-restoring surgery;
approximately 725,000 to 1 million Americans have an ostomy, with
approximately 100,000 new ostomy procedures performed each year; and

WHEREAS, Ostomy or continent diversion surgery can occur at any age
and does not lower life expectancy; and

WHEREAS, Largely through the efforts of UOA and its over 300
Affiliated Support Groups, Americans needing these surgeries are
becoming more aware of the opportunities for education, mutual aid,
advocacy and support which are such great benefit to them and their
families; and

WHEREAS, Ostomy Awareness Day was organized to ensure those who are
living with an ostomy face no discrimination and are accepted as normal,
healthy individuals; 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 October 7, 2023, as Ostomy
Awareness Day 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 to United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc.