LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim November 10, 2014, as Neuroendocrine Tumor Cancer Awareness Day

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days 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, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 10, 2014, as Neuroen-
docrine Tumor Cancer Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, Neuroendocrine cells, located throughout the body, produce
hormones used for a variety of important functions, such as regulating
air and blood flow through the lungs and the production of adrenaline in
the adrenal glands; and
WHEREAS, Neuroendocrine tumor (NET) cancer occurs when these neuroen-
docrine cells grow uncontrollably into malignant tumors, disrupting the
cells' important functions, and causing a wide variety of serious symp-
toms including recurrent lung infections, wheezing, abdominal pain,
heart palpitations, heartburn, skin rashes, anxiety attacks, and some-
times death; and
WHEREAS, NET cancer most often originates in the lung or gastrointes-
tinal system but can also begin in other organs, such as the pancreas,
kidneys, ovaries, testes, or thyroid gland; and
WHEREAS, Even though thousands of Americans suffer from NET cancer,
mistakes in diagnosis and caring for those suffering are far too common
due to a lack of knowledge in the medical community about the disease;
and
WHEREAS, Over 90 percent of NET cancer patients are incorrectly diag-
nosed and initially treated for the wrong disease; and
WHEREAS, Misdiagnoses and delayed diagnoses mean that NET cancer
patients are treated for the wrong disease, on average, for five to
seven years, by which point the cancer has often spread, making survival
less likely; and
WHEREAS, Despite the fact that the majority of neuroendocrine tumors
are cancerous, healthcare professionals often believe they are not canc-
erous, are unlikely to cause serious harm, and underestimate the tumor's
ability to spread to other parts of the body, further decreasing the
patient's likelihood of survival; and
WHEREAS, Despite the well-publicized illness and death of Steve Jobs,
who succumbed to a form of NET cancer, knowledge of the disease is too
limited both within the medical community and among the general public;
and
WHEREAS, Greater awareness and knowledge of NET cancer both in the
medical and lay communities would substantially benefit those affected
by helping to generate the funding for further research to improve
treatments, and ultimately save more lives; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 10, 2014, as
Neuroendocrine Tumor Cancer Awareness Day; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.