Declare Sarcoidosis Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 555 BY: Senator LAVALLE MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2019, as Sarcoidosis Awareness Month in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious health issues 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, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim April 2019, as Sarcoidosis Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disease which can affect almost any organ in the body; it causes heightened immunity, which means that a person's immune system, which normally protects the body from infection and disease, overreacts, resulting in damage to the body's own tissues; and WHEREAS, The classic feature of sarcoidosis is the formation of granulomas, microscopic clumps of inflammatory cells which group together, and look like granules; when too many of these clumps form in an organ, they can interfere with how that organ functions; and WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis can affect almost any organ in the body including the heart, skin, liver, kidneys, brain, sinuses, eyes, muscles, bones, and other areas but it most commonly targets the lungs and lymph nodes which are an important part of the immune system; and WHEREAS, When sarcoidosis affects the lungs, it is called pulmonary sarcoidosis; 90% or more of people diagnosed with the disease have lung involvement; and WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis can be tricky to diagnose and is often confused with other diseases; many people with sarcoidosis think they have the flu or a respiratory infection before they are properly diagnosed; and WHEREAS, Common symptoms of sarcoidosis include: cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, night sweats, fatigue, and wheezing or abnormal breathing, as well as feeling congested; and WHEREAS, Sarcoidosis also can cause the following: skin rashes or raised bumps on the skin, joint pain or stiffness, eye irritation, dryness of the eyes and sometimes blurry vision, fast heart rate or lightheadedness, kidney stones, increased levels of calcium in the bloodstream, and abnormal liver function; and WHEREAS, The exact cause of sarcoidosis is unknown; while no specific gene mutation has been shown to cause sarcoidosis, it sometimes runs in families, and there may be a genetic tendency to develop sarcoidosis; and WHEREAS, Some research suggests that an infection or exposure to something in the environment can trigger the immune system to overreact; unfortunately, many of our heroic First Responders to the 9/11 tragedy in New York City, have sarcoidosis due to breathing in the heavy dust; and WHEREAS, It has been found that people of African and Scandinavian descent are slightly more likely to develop sarcoidosis than Caucasians; women are more likely to develop the disease than men; some exposures to dusty or moldy environments have increased risk of developing sarcoidosis, and people between 20 to 40 years of age are more likely to develop sarcoidosis than others; and WHEREAS, The New York State Legislature continues its commitment to educate the public in the importance of early detection and prevention, to support institutions that further research and knowledge in the treatment of sarcoidosis, and to promote an environment in which a healthy lifestyle will result in healthy minds and bodies; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body and Governor Andrew M. Cuomo proclaim April 2019, as Sarcoidosis Awareness Month 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.