SENATOR AMEDORE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZES OMPHALOCELE AWARENESS DAY

Senator Amedore sponsored a Senate resolution (J.3244) to proclaim January 31, 2016 as Omphalocele Awareness Day in New York State, in conjunction with National Omphalocele Awareness Day.

Senator Amedore was joined in the Senate Chamber by the Crawford family of Guilderland, New York, whose 3 year old daughter Reegen was born with an omphalocele. Members of Mothers of Omphaloceles (MOOs), an organization that was formed to spread awareness and offer support to 1,000s of families affected, attended Senate session as well today.

An omphalocele is a birth defect that occurs early in pregnancy when the abdominal wall does not close properly, and some or all of the child’s abdominal organs protrude outside the body through the umbilical cord. A small omphalocele occurs in one out of 5,000 pregnancies, and a large omphalocele occurs in one out of 10,000 pregnancies.

“An omphalocele can be a very scary diagnosis during pregnancy, especially for someone who didn’t even know the possibility exists until it happens to them,” said Senator Amedore. “But fortunately, with surgery and treatment, children go on to lead healthy, happy lives. I want to thank the Crawford family and the Mothers of Omphaloceles for their advocacy to spread awareness, and also for the support and guidance they give parents, caregivers, and families who are affected.”

The full text of the resolution that was adopted by the Senate can be read here: http://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/resolutions/2015/j3244

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