LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim November 2014 as Epilepsy 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 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 memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2014 as Epilepsy
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National Epilepsy Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, Epilepsy, also known as a seizure disorder, is a medical
condition that produces seizures affecting a variety of mental and phys-
ical functions; it is characterized by recurring seizures which are
physical reactions to sudden, brief, excessive electrical discharges in
brain cells; and
WHEREAS, Epilepsy affects more people than multiple sclerosis, cere-
bral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's combined; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that up to 50,000 deaths occur annually in
the United States from status epilepticus (prolonged seizures), Sudden
Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP), and other seizure-related causes
such as drowning and other accidents; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
epilepsy affects 3 million Americans, and 65 million people worldwide;
more people live with epilepsy than with autism spectrum disorders,
Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy combined; and
WHEREAS, It strikes most often among the very young and the very old,
although anyone can develop epilepsy at any age; in the United States,
it affects more than 300,000 children under the age of 15, more than
90,000 of whom have seizures that cannot be adequately treated; and
WHEREAS, The number of epilepsy cases in the elderly is climbing as
the baby boom generation reaches retirement age; more than 570,000
adults age 65 and above have the condition; and
WHEREAS, Each year, there are 200,000 new cases of epilepsy reported
in the United States, and approximately 50,000 people will die from an
epilepsy-related cause; and
WHEREAS, While medications and other treatments help many people of
all ages who live with epilepsy, more than a million people continue to
have seizures that can severely limit their school achievements, employ-
ment prospects and participation in all of life's experiences; and
WHEREAS, Despite its prevalence, epilepsy is among the least under-
stood of major chronic medical conditions, even though one in three
adults knows someone with the disorder; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activ-
ity at the local, State and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2014 as
Epilepsy Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and the Epilepsy Foundation.