Assembly Resolution No. 621

BY: M. of A. Joyner

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 2022, as Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month in
the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing
serious disorders by proclaiming official months to increase awareness
of such concerns, which affect thousands of New Yorkers; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2022, as Bleeding Disorders
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Bleeding disorders encompass a variety of genetic
conditions including hemophilia, Von Willebrand disease, sickle cell
anemia, and platelet disorders; these conditions cause an affected
person's blood to clot slower than normal, leading to prolonged bleeding
which can result from trauma, medical procedures, child birth, or occur
spontaneously; and

WHEREAS, Symptoms vary, and may include pain, disabling joint/muscle
damage, organ failure and in severe cases death; while there is
treatment for these conditions, there is no cure; and

WHEREAS, Bleeding disorders may affect more than one in 100 New
Yorkers, both male and female; while many patients have a family history
of bleeding disorders, one in three do not; and

WHEREAS, The history of bleeding disorders is one of tragedy and
hope; before 1965 there was no treatment for people with bleeding
disorders; those with serious symptoms often became physically disabled
and often had a life expectancy of 40 years; and

WHEREAS, In the 1980s, treatment finally became available for those
suffering with these disorders; unfortunately, the treatments gave rise
to the scourge of HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C from contaminated blood; as a
result, over 10,000 people with bleeding disorders died, and those who
survived lived profoundly altered lives; and

WHEREAS, Today, advances in medical research and growing access to
care offer people with bleeding disorders the opportunity to lead full,
productive lives to the same age as unaffected people; however, the key
to realizing this bright future is early diagnosis, proper treatment,
and continuing access to the different medications and care services
patients need to stay healthy as they grow and age; and

WHEREAS, It is appropriate to recognize March as Bleeding Disorders
Month in order to foster public awareness and understanding of these
bleeding disorders and to encourage early detection and prompt
treatment; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 2022, as Bleeding
Disorders 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 Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.