LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim the week of May 19-23, 2009, as Marrow Donor Awareness Week in
New York State

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor
David A. Paterson to proclaim the week of May 19-23, 2009, as Marrow
Donor Awareness Week in New York State; and
WHEREAS, In addition, the 18th Annual Legislative Bowl-A-Thon for the
"Be The Match Foundation," formally known as "The Marrow Foundation"
will be held on Tuesday, May 19, 2009, at the Olympic Lanes in Menands,
New York; and
WHEREAS, This year's Bowl-A-Thon is dedicated to individuals in need
of a marrow transplant; and
WHEREAS, The National Marrow Donor Program has created Be The Match, a
new identity through which NMDP will engage the public in its mission to
save lives; Be The Match will improve the work done to help patients by
increasing public commitment and support of its mission through
increased awareness and deepening relationships with registry members;
furthermore, Be The Match will be a transformational change to attract,
retain and motivate the public; and
WHEREAS, Marrow transplants now give people dying of blood-related
diseases, such as leukemia, aplastic anemia, and lymphoma, a chance to
be cured if a donor can be found whose marrow matches their own; and
WHEREAS, Only 30 percent of patients find a match donor in their fami-
ly; the other 70 percent can turn to the National Marrow Donor Program
(NMDP) to search for an unrelated donor or cord blood unit; and
WHEREAS, Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians and Native Americans have
between 78 and 88 percent of a chance to find a match on the registry;
and
WHEREAS, Finding a matched donor on the NMDP Registry is only the
beginning; if a match is found, then it must be determined if the donor
is available to donate; availability of donors ranges from approximately
40 to 70 percent depending on race; overall, minority donor availability
is less than 50 percent; and
WHEREAS, Since 1986, the National Marrow Donor Program has been dedi-
cated to creating an opportunity for all patients to receive the trans-
plant therapy they need, when they need it; and
WHEREAS, NMDP has provided transplants for more than 35,000 cancer
patients; and
WHEREAS, African-Americans have approximately a 60 percent likelihood
of finding at least one potential match on the NMDP Registry; Caucasians
approximately an 88 percent chance; Hispanics approximately an 81
percent chance; Asians approximately a 78 percent chance; and American
Indians/Alaska Natives approximately an 82 percent chance; and
WHEREAS, Many people in the United States have died because their
desperate searches have not produced a matching donor in time; it is
vital, therefore, that every effort be made to assure that the donor
pool is as large and diverse as possible; and
WHEREAS, It is of critical importance that African-Americans, Hispan-
ics, Asians and Native Americans, who are presently underrepresented in
the registry, become volunteers so that the same hope can be offered to
all Americans in need; and
WHEREAS, In memory of the late Senator Eugene Levy, it is the intent
of this Legislative Body to designate the week of May 19-23, as Marrow
Donor Awareness Week in New York State, recognizing and honoring all of
those who have selflessly donated marrow, or who have been tested as a

potential donor, and to enhance public awareness of the desperate need
for marrow donors, particularly minority donors; and
WHEREAS, Everyone has the ability to give "the gift of life" by donat-
ing marrow to someone who faces imminent death from a blood-related
disease; and
WHEREAS, The observance of Marrow Donor Awareness Week provides the
opportunity to educate people, to encourage them to consider marrow
donation, helping to ensure that more lives are saved; and
WHEREAS, Marrow Donor Awareness Week is also a time to recognize and
applaud the researchers, medical professionals, advocates and volun-
teers, past and present, who have contributed so much to the advancement
of marrow donation and transplantation and, most particularly, to
acknowledge and express our deepest gratitude to those who donate their
marrow for their extraordinary generosity in giving the gift of life;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim the week of May
19-23, 2009, as Marrow Donor Awareness Week in New York State; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York; The National Marrow Donor Program; the Be The Match Foundation,
formally known as The Marrow Foundation; Link to Life Network, Inc.; and
the New York Blood Center in recognition of their efforts in educating
the public and assisting those in need of a marrow donation.