Declare Sickle Cell Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 4443 BY: Senator COMRIE MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2018, 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 2018, 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 2018, 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.