Declare Sickle Cell Awareness Day

June 19, 2020, as Sickle Cell Disease 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 June 19, 2020, as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day in the State of New York; and WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease is a chronic 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; currently, an estimated

100,000 Americans are living with the disease; and WHEREAS, Frequent pain episodes can result in necrosis of the hips, knees, ankle and shoulder; there can be entrapment of blood in the spleen, severe anemia, acute lung complications (acute chest syndrome), priapism in males, and difficult pregnancy for women of child bearing age; and WHEREAS, These life-threatening complications can develop rapidly, including infections of the blood (sepsis), meningitis and stroke; stroke can be either silent (no overt symptoms) or clinical (with symptoms) and can affect children as young as 18 months; and WHEREAS, Up to 40% of children will have had either a silent or clinical stroke by the age of 18 and this impacts their ability to learn and/or hold a job; 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; approximately 1 in 12 African-Americans are diagnosed with the trait; and WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease affects approximately 100,000 Americans and 10% of these patients reside in New York State, and 80% of those patients live in the New York City area; and WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease is the most costly per patient to New York State Medicaid, costing $15,000/year/patient; and WHEREAS, The only known cure for sickle cell disease is through a transplant of bone marrow or stem cells; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 19, 2020, as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Day 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.