LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim November 2010, as Lung Cancer Awareness Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, Lung cancer is the number one cancer killer for both men and
women in New York; each year, about 9,000 New Yorkers die from lung
cancer; and
WHEREAS, Lung cancer takes the lives of more Americans each year than
breast, prostate, colon, liver, and kidney cancers combined; and
WHEREAS, Former smokers and people who have never smoked comprise the
majority of new cases of lung cancer each year; and
WHEREAS, Early lung cancer diagnosis and management protocols exist,
yet have not been embraced as the standard of care; and
WHEREAS, This year approximately 13,550 New Yorkers will be diagnosed
with lung cancer; over 80% will be diagnosed at late stage accounting
for the low 15% five year survival rate; and
WHEREAS, Over 20,000 new "daily" smokers under the age of 18 are
addicted each year in the State of New York, and over 13% of New York
high school students smoke cigarettes; and
WHEREAS, Every year, 33.5 million packs of cigarettes are bought or
smoked in New York State; and
WHEREAS, The Lung Cancer Alliance is the only national non-profit
organization dedicated exclusively to patient support and advocacy for
people living with lung cancer and those at risk for the disease; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body urges all residents of New York State
to make themselves more aware of the risk of lung cancer and take meas-
ures to minimize those risks in an effort to promote better health and
reduce the incidence of lung cancer; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim November 2010 as Lung
Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York.