Honor Dr. Boulad’s Cancer Work

Senate Resolution No. 2485 BY: Senator GOLDEN COMMENDING Dr. Farid Boulad upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Julien Collot Foundation for his dedication and commitment to helping children battling cancer WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize that the quality of life in the communities across this great State of New York is enriched by the diligence and compassionate commitment of those individuals whose singular purpose is the care and welfare of others; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Dr. Farid Boulad upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Julien Collot Foundation for his dedication and commitment to helping children battling cancer, to be celebrated at a Dinner held in his honor on Friday, June 30, 2017, at 212 Steakhouse in New York, New York; and WHEREAS, Born in Cairo, Egypt, Farid Boulad grew up in Beirut, Lebanon and Paris, France before attending medical school in Brussels, Belgium; in 1982, he moved to New York City, where he was accepted into a residency program at the Metropolitan Hospital in Manhattan, New York; and WHEREAS, After his second year of residency, which included a month's rotation at Memorial Sloan Ketering Cancer Center, Dr. Farid Boulad realized he found his life's passion; he accepted the fellowship at the Center and has been instrumental in growing the organization ever since; and WHEREAS, Today, Dr. Farid Boulad is the Medical Director of the Center's Pediatric Day Hospital; a pediatric hematologic-oncologist who specializes in bone marrow transplantation, he conducts research into new transplant therapies which are less harsh and more effective, and on non-cancer blood disorders, including bone marrow failure syndromes; and WHEREAS, In addition, Dr. Farid Boulad treats red blood cell disorders known as hemoglobinopathies, including thalassemia and sickle cell disease; he and his colleagues are developing a pioneering gene therapy program for these diseases; and WHEREAS, Dr. Farid Boulad has performed transplantations on approximately 1,500 children; he is also researching ways to perform these transplants in children without the use of radiation therapy, decreasing the chance of late effects from radiation; and WHEREAS, The Pediatric Day Hospital, which was the first facility of its kind in the world, allows children and young adults to receive more than 90 percent of their treatment in an outpatient environment; the pediatric team ensures the child and their family is taken care of in various ways that go beyond cancer treatment; and WHEREAS, In the faithful performance of his duties and responsibilities, Dr. Farid Boulad's ongoing efforts and notable achievements have significantly contributed to bettering the quality of life in his community; and WHEREAS, Throughout his tenure, Dr. Farid Boulad continuously displayed initiative and an unrelenting commitment when pursuing the highest of goals, and he has served as a role model of leadership to be emulated by all; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Dr. Farid Boulad upon the occasion of his designation for special recognition by the Julien Collot Foundation for his dedication and commitment to helping children battling cancer; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Dr. Farid Boulad.