Declare ME Awareness Day

May 12, 2018, as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Awareness Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official days 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 May 12, 2018, as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of International Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis has been found by the National Academy of Medicine to be a serious, chronic, complex, and systemic disease that frequently and dramatically limits the activities of affected patients, leaving them with a lower quality of life than multiple sclerosis, stroke, renal failure, heart failure and other chronic diseases; and WHEREAS, Up to 2.5 million Americans of all ages, races and genders are living with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis, and between 62,000-152,000 people in New York; and WHEREAS, Myalgic Encephalomyelitis persists for years or decades due to a lack of treatments, leaving 25% of patients housebound or bedbound, with many students unable to attend school and 75%-85% of patients unable to work, costing the economy of New York State millions of dollars; and WHEREAS, The National Academy of Medicine noted a lack of knowledge about the disease due to a lack of research and funding for research, owing largely to a lack of awareness of the disease; and WHEREAS, The National Academy of Medicine stated that as a result of this lack of awareness and research, many patients encounter medical professionals who doubt the existence of their disease and have tremendous difficulty being properly diagnosed and accessing appropriate medical care; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this serious health condition, and more must be done to increase awareness and funding 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 May 12, 2018, as Myalgic Encephalomyelitis Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to recognize that Myalgic Encephalomyelitis is a tragic, disabling disease which destroys the lives of many patients and imposes a severe toll on their families, friends, and caretakers; and be it further RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to affirm the commitment of New York State to improving the availability and quality of medical and supportive care for Myalgic Encephalomyelitis patients; 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.