HS Awareness Week Proclaimed

Senate Resolution No. 105 BY: Senator PERSAUD MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 1-7, 2025, as Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week in the State of New York WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to help increase awareness of serious health conditions 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 1-7, 2025, as Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week; and WHEREAS, Recognized annually in the first week of June, Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) Awareness Week supports groups, charities, foundations, and other organizations which provide resources, such as educational materials, seminars, meetups, and more, with the aim to connect people around the country who live with HS, share information about HS, advocate for HS research, and increase public awareness of HS; and WHEREAS, An estimated 20,000 New Yorkers and 3.3 million Americans suffer from Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS), an immune disease that causes recurring boils in the folds of the skin; and WHEREAS, Each year many people are newly diagnosed with Hidradenitis Suppurativa, affecting both those in early adulthood as well as those in their 40s and 50s; and WHEREAS, Hidradenitis Suppurativa is at least three times more likely to occur in women, and is more prevalent among African-American and biracial people; and WHEREAS, Health professionals are often unaware of the symptoms of Hidradenitis Suppurativa, causing people with Hidradenitis Suppurativa to suffer for an average of 9 years before they obtain a correct diagnosis and medical treatment, confirming the need for increased public and professional awareness of Hidradenitis Suppurativa; and WHEREAS, This awareness week will foster a greater sense of community among individuals living with Hidradenitis Suppurative and help build public awareness of this disease; and WHEREAS, The Hidradenitis Suppurativa Coalition is dedicated to transforming the HS landscape and promoting initiatives that improve the lives of individuals living with HS by driving awareness, addressing disparities in access and policy barriers, and creating better outcomes for all impacted by HS; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those chronically ill people who are living with Hidradenitis Suppurativa and urges all citizens to support the search for a cure and assist those individuals and families who deal with this grave disease on a daily basis; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim June 1-7, 2025, as Hidradenitis Suppurativa Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.