Proclaim Brain Injury Awareness Day

March 22, 2017, as Brain Injury Awareness Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in calling attention to serious medical conditions which affect thousands of New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 22, 2017, as Brain Injury Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Brain Injury Awareness Day on March 22, 2017; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, this Legislative Body is justly proud to pay tribute to the Brain Injury Association of New York State as it celebrates the 35th Anniversary of Brain Injury Awareness Day; and WHEREAS, Since acknowledging March as Brain Injury Awareness Month, the Brain Injury Association of New York State has been dedicated to advocating on behalf of individuals with brain injury and their families; and WHEREAS, By educating, training, advocating, and supporting people with brain injury, the Brain Injury Association of New York State has ensured that no individual has to face brain injury alone; and WHEREAS, The purpose of Brain Injury Awareness Day is to promote prevention and educate the public about the dangers of brain injury and prevent future brain injuries from occurring; and WHEREAS, There are two types of brain injuries: traumatic brain injury (TBI), caused by trauma; and acquired brain injury (ABI), which is generally caused by strokes, tumors, or aneurisms; and WHEREAS, Each year, an estimated 2.4 million children and adults in the United States sustain a TBI, and another 795,000 individuals sustain an ABI from non-traumatic causes; and WHEREAS, TBI is a contributing factor to a third (30.5%) of all injury-related deaths in the United States; on average, 52,000 Americans die every year of a TBI; and WHEREAS, TBI can affect the functionality of the brain such as thinking, reasoning, and memory; and WHEREAS, Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of TBI, accounting for over 30% of all TBIs in the United States; and WHEREAS, About 75% of TBIs that occur each year are concussions or other forms of mild traumatic brain injury; and WHEREAS, Whether the victim is an adult, a child, or an infant, TBIs can have a major impact on individuals and their families; over 5 million Americans live with a long term disability due to brain damage; and WHEREAS, Strokes are the leading cause of ABI, and claim the lives of nearly 130,000 Americans each year, or one out of every 20 deaths; and WHEREAS, It is in the interest of the State of New York to recognize the achievements made and to continue these efforts by promoting the prevention and educating the public about the dangers of brain injury; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 22, 2017, as Brain Injury Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York, and the Brain Injury Association of New York State.