Senate Resolution No. 1047

BY: Senator GRIFFO

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
May 2017 as Lupus Awareness Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, Each year, the Lupus Agencies of New York State designate
May as Lupus Awareness Month to show support for the 105,400 New
Yorkers, 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide who suffer
from the often debilitating effects of Lupus, a chronic autoimmune
disease that can cause severe damage to the tissue and organs in the
body and, in some cases, death; and

WHEREAS, Each year thousands of people are newly diagnosed with
Lupus, the great majority of whom are young people in the prime of their
lives, and 90% of whom are women; and

WHEREAS, Lupus is most prevalent among African-Americans, Hispanics,
Native Americans, and Asians; tragically, thousands of people die from
Lupus each year because a cure remains elusive; and

WHEREAS, Many health professionals are unaware of symptoms and
health effects of Lupus, causing people with Lupus to suffer for many
years before they obtain a correct diagnosis and medical treatment,
demonstrating the need for increased public and professional awareness
of Lupus; and

WHEREAS, Medical research efforts into Lupus and the discovery of
safer, more effective treatments for Lupus patients are under-funded in
comparison with diseases of comparable magnitude and severity; and

WHEREAS, Increasing community awareness and focusing public
attention on Lupus and its devastating impact on patients' lives will
provide hope for a better future for those affected; and

WHEREAS, The Lupus Agencies of New York State are dedicated to
improving the quality of life for individuals with Lupus and their loved
ones by providing education, support and outreach services, and
promoting programs of awareness, advocacy, and research; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those
chronically ill people who are living with Lupus and urges all citizens
to support the search for a cure and assist those individuals and
families who deal with this devastating disease on a daily basis; now,
therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2017 as Lupus
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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York, and the Lupus Agencies of New York State.