LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 2011 as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths
in men and women, combined, in the United States; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that in the year 2011, over 146,970 new cases
of colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in the United States; and
WHEREAS, In the year 2011, the disease is expected to kill an esti-
mated 49,920 individuals in this country; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 9,970 individuals in the State of New York were
diagnosed with colorectal cancer in the year 2009; and
WHEREAS, In November of 1999, the United States Senate passed legis-
lation declaring March 2000 as the first-ever National Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, The Colon Cancer Alliance, Inc. (CCA) will continue working
with Congress for coverage, education, and awareness so that colorectal
cancer is detected early and lives are saved; and
WHEREAS, Screening for colorectal cancer is underutilized; less than
50 percent of individuals above age 50 receive annual screenings for
colorectal cancer; and
WHEREAS, Regular screenings, which can detect polyps that lead to
colorectal cancer, can save lives; and
WHEREAS, Education can help inform the public about methods of
prevention, and about symptoms, to aid in early detection; and
WHEREAS, Adopting a healthy diet at a young age can significantly
reduce the risk of developing colorectal cancer; and
WHEREAS, The Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention is
offering colon cancer evaluations for men and women age 50 and over, and
prostate evaluations for men age 40 and over to be held at the Adam
Clayton Powell Jr. State Office Building in New York, on Wednesday,
March 23, 2011, in conjunction with Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month in
the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The State of New York should help inform the public about
colorectal cancer prevention and screening; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2011 as Colorec-
tal Cancer Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York; The Colon Cancer Alliance, Inc., 1025 Vermont Avenue, N.W., Suite
1066, Washington, D.C. 20005; Dan Foster, 8 Dictum Court, Brooklyn, New
York 11229; Dahlia Rizk, D.O., Director, Hospitalist Program, Beth Isra-
el Medical Center, First Avenue at 16th Street, New York, New York
10003; Jianjun Li, M.D., Maimonides Medical Center, Director, Division
of Gastroenterology, 4721 Fort Hamilton Parkway, Brooklyn, New York
11219; and the Ralph Lauren Center for Cancer Care and Prevention, 1919
Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10035.