Honor Lymphedema Advocate Faccio

Senate Resolution No. 692 BY: Senator GOLDEN HONORING Nicole Faccio for her outstanding advocacy, support, and fundraising efforts for lymphedema awareness WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality and character of life in the communities across New York State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations and individuals committed to helping to improve the lives of others; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud, on the occasion of the observance of World Lymphedema Day on March 6, 2017, to honor and pay tribute to Nicole Faccio, a 28-year-old woman who has suffered with primary lymphedema in three limbs, as well as other health concerns, since birth; in spite of these challenges, she has been an inspirational advocate for lymphatic disease awareness, education, and research; and WHEREAS, World Lymphedema Day brings awareness to this often debilitating disease and helps find strength through collective celebration and is also set aside to honor inspirational lymphedema patients and advocates; and WHEREAS, Nicole Faccio began her fundraising and awareness efforts in the summer of 2016, when she and her family and friends formed a fundraising team, "In Pizza We Crust," named in honor of her family's business, for the 2016 Walk to Fight Lymphedema & Lymphatic Diseases; and WHEREAS, Nicole Faccio has worked tirelessly despite significant health issues, including painful massage therapy and specialized compression garments for both day and night; and WHEREAS, Nicole Faccio and her team exceeded their fundraising goals by more than 150% in less than two weeks, becoming one of the top fundraising teams for the New York Walk to Fight Lymphedema & Lymphatic Diseases; and WHEREAS, Nicole Faccio's family and friends have devoted themselves to this cause, including garnering the support of both local and international donors for the Walk to Fight Lymphedema & Lymphatic Diseases, which took their team and hundreds of supporters across the Brooklyn Bridge in September 2016; and WHEREAS, Nicole Faccio continues to be a positive role model for all lymphedema patients and especially young lymphedema patients; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to honor Nicole Faccio for her outstanding advocacy and promotion of lymphedema awareness; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Nicole Faccio, and the Lymphatic Education & Research Network.