Declare NMO Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 1216 BY: Senator AKSHAR MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2017, as Neuromyelitis Optica 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 March 2017, as Neuromyelitis Optica Awareness Month in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO), previously known as Devic's disease, is a rare autoimmune disease that primarily affects the eye nerves and spinal cord, and has no known cure; and WHEREAS, NMO occurs when the body's immune system attacks its own cells, sometimes causing permanent disabilities including blindness and paralysis; and WHEREAS, The cause of NMO is still largely unknown, and there are currently no FDA-approved treatments for the disease; and WHEREAS, NMO is often misdiagnosed as a type of Multiple Sclerosis, but it is its own distinct condition; and WHEREAS, Increasing awareness about NMO has caused NMO diagnoses to rise, as doctors have become more likely to recognize the varying manifestations of the disease; and WHEREAS, The NMO community is dedicated to increasing awareness and understanding of this disease in order to promote research, improve patient care and outcomes, and ultimately find a cure; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2017, as Neuromyelitis Optica 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.