LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION recognizing Tuesday, February 10, 2015, as Create
Hope for a Cancer-Free World Day, and paying tribute to cancer patients,
survivors and their families, and remembering those people who have been
lost to cancer

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize Tuesday,
February 10, 2015, as Create Hope for a Cancer-Free World Day, and to
pay tribute to cancer patients, survivors and their families, and remem-
ber those people who have been lost to cancer; and
WHEREAS, An estimated 107,840 New Yorkers will be diagnosed with
cancer in 2015; and
WHEREAS, There are over 908,000 cancer survivors in New York State;
and
WHEREAS, In 2001, 14 years ago, many of these voices joined together
to form a nationwide grassroots movement called the American Cancer
Society Cancer Action Network, an organization united and relentless in
pursuit of its mission to defeat cancer by working with lawmakers to
create hope for those affected by cancer; and
WHEREAS, Cancer patients face countless hurdles associated with their
diagnoses including physical, emotional, financial, and day-to-day chal-
lenges; and
WHEREAS, People without access to quality, affordable health care are
significantly more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage cancer,
resulting in significantly worse health outcomes for low-income and
uninsured cancer patients; and
WHEREAS, The five-year survival rate for cancer is 68%, up from 49%
nearly 40 years ago due to cancer research as well as lifesaving cancer
prevention, screening, early detection and treatment programs; and
WHEREAS, It is essential to preserve the quality of life and dignity
of all people who have struggled with cancer and who often feel
isolated, stigmatized and misunderstood; and
WHEREAS, Volunteers and members of the American Cancer Society Cancer
Action Network work diligently every day to advocate on behalf of cancer
patients, survivors, and caregivers so that one day cancer will be elim-
inated as a major public health issue; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
recognize Tuesday, February 10, 2015, as Create Hope for a Cancer-Free
World Day, and to pay tribute to cancer patients, survivors and their
families, and remember those people who have been lost to cancer; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.