Senate Resolution No. 2810

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
September 2017, as Sickle Cell Disease 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
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
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2017, as
Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Sickle Cell Disease
Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder that can
cause severe pain and result in damage to the brain and other vital
organs like the kidneys, liver, spleen and heart; and

WHEREAS, People who have the disease, but do not experience the
symptoms are said to have the sickle cell trait; and

WHEREAS, The month of September has been devoted to raise awareness
for the estimated 100,000 Americans living with the disease; and

WHEREAS, Since Sickle Cell Awareness Month was created in 1983,
every child born in the United States is screened for the disease so
that those diagnosed can begin treatment right away; and

WHEREAS, The only known cure for sickle cell disease is through a
transplant of bone marrow or stem cells; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease is most common in Africans and
African-Americans, but the disease can also be found in other
demographics, primarily in South and Central America, the Caribbean,
Mediterranean countries and India; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease occurs in 1 in every 365
African-American births, and approximately 1 in 13 African-Americans are
diagnosed with the trait; it also occurs in 1 in every 16,300
Hispanic-American births; and

WHEREAS, The most basic symptoms of sickle cell disease are fatigue,
shortness of breath and episodes of serious pain that will likely
require hospitalization; these symptoms will begin to show within the
very first year of a person's life if they have the disease and the pain
ranges from mild to very severe; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity 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 September 2017, as
Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.