Declare Lupus Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 309 BY: Senator GRIFFO MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2019, as Lupus Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, Each year, the Lupus Agencies of New York State designate May as Lupus Awareness Month to show support for the 105,400 New Yorkers, 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide who suffer from the often debilitating effects of Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause severe damage to the tissue and organs in the body and, in some cases, death; and WHEREAS, Each year thousands of people are newly diagnosed with Lupus, the great majority of whom are young people in the prime of their lives, and 90% of whom are women; and WHEREAS, Lupus is most prevalent among African-Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Asians; tragically, thousands of people die from Lupus each year because a cure remains elusive; and WHEREAS, Many health professionals are unaware of symptoms and health effects of Lupus, causing people with Lupus to suffer for many years before they obtain a correct diagnosis and medical treatment, demonstrating the need for increased public and professional awareness of Lupus; and WHEREAS, Medical research efforts into Lupus and the discovery of safer, more effective treatments for Lupus patients are under-funded in comparison with diseases of comparable magnitude and severity; and WHEREAS, Increasing community awareness and focusing public attention on Lupus and its devastating impact on patients' lives will provide hope for a better future for those affected; and WHEREAS, The Lupus Agencies of New York State are dedicated to improving the quality of life for individuals with Lupus and their loved ones by providing education, support and outreach services, and promoting programs of awareness, advocacy, and research; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those chronically ill people who are living with Lupus and urges all citizens to support the search for a cure and assist those individuals and families who deal with this devastating disease on a daily basis; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2019, as Lupus Awareness Month 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 Lupus Agencies of New York State.