Honor Tina Himaya's Advocacy

Senate Resolution No. 592 BY: Senator GOUNARDES COMMENDING Tina Himaya for her outstanding advocacy, support, and fundraising efforts for lymphedema awareness WHEREAS, It is the custom 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 individuals committed to helping to improve the lives of others; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern and fully in accord with its long-standing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commend Tina Himaya for her outstanding advocacy, support, and fundraising efforts for lymphedema awareness, in conjunction with the observance of World Lymphedema Day on Wednesday, March 6, 2019; and WHEREAS, World Lymphedema Day brings awareness to this often-debilitating disease which millions of people are born with, but which many times is the result of cancer treatment; this special day also gives people the opportunity to find strength through collective celebration, and to honor inspirational lymphedema patients and their advocates; and WHEREAS, A resident of Lindenhurst, New York, Tina Himaya has suffered with primary lymphedema throughout her body since birth; in spite of these challenges, she has served as an inspirational advocate for lymphedema and lymphatic disease awareness, education, and research; and WHEREAS, In 2007, Tina Himaya joined the Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) in order to raise both funds and awareness for this disease which effects so many people; in early 2018, she and her colleagues wrote and performed a bio-musical chronicling her life-long struggle with lymphedema; someday, they plan to tour the country sharing this performance; and WHEREAS, In that same year, Tina Himaya traveled to Washington, DC, to build support for lymphatic disease research, and sang the "Star-Spangled Banner" on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial at the inaugural DC Walk & Rally to Fight Lymphedema & Lymphatic Diseases; and WHEREAS, Through her hard work, Tina Himaya surpassed her fundraising goal, and once again, sang the national anthem for the opening of the 2018 NY Run/Walk to Fight Lymphedema & Lymphatic Diseases; and WHEREAS, A positive role model for those suffering with lymphedema, Tina Himaya has worked tirelessly to promote education, research and advocacy for all lymphatic diseases; 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 commend Tina Himaya for her outstanding advocacy, support, and fundraising efforts for lymphedema awareness; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Tina Himaya.