Assembly Resolution No. 785

BY: M. of A. Rosenthal L

HONORING Deborah Carey for her outstanding
advocacy, education, and fundraising efforts for
lymphedema awareness

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that the quality
and character of life in the communities across New York State are
reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of organizations and
individuals committed to helping to improve the lives of others; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its
long-standing tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud to honor
Deborah Carey, a resident of Syracuse, New York, for her outstanding
advocacy, education, and fundraising efforts for lymphedema awareness,
in conjunction with the observance of World Lymphedema Day on Friday,
March 6, 2020; and

WHEREAS, World Lymphedema Day brings awareness to this
often-debilitating disease that millions are born with, but which many
times is the result of cancer treatment, and helps find strength through
collective celebration and is also set aside to honor inspirational
lymphedema patients and advocates; and

WHEREAS, Up to 10 million Americans, and 250 million people
worldwide, live with either primary lymphedema or secondary lymphedema,
including 30% of all breast cancer patients; and

WHEREAS, Deborah Carey, along with her husband, Jim, began their
fundraising and awareness efforts in 2013, when they joined the
Lymphatic Education & Research Network (LE&RN) and when Jim ran the New
York City Marathon under LE&RN's banner; and

WHEREAS, In 2017, Deborah Carey was diagnosed with breast cancer,
and reached out to LE&RN for guidance in helping to prevent lymphedema
from developing as a side effect of her cancer surgery and treatment;
and

WHEREAS, Deborah Carey was able to receive cutting-edge surgery from
world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering surgeon Dr. Joseph Dayan to
treat her cancer and mitigate her chances of developing lymphedema; and

WHEREAS, Deborah Carey's successful surgical and post-operative
treatment to diminish the development of lymphedema has inspired her to
advocate for all New Yorkers to be informed of their potential risk; and

WHEREAS, This exceptional woman volunteers at an upstate New York
hospital where her interviews have revealed that personnel had little or
no training in dealing with lymphedema; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, Deborah Carey advocates for all doctors to be
educated in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of lymphedema, and
to inform their patients of their risk; and

WHEREAS, Deborah Carey has funded a grant to LE&RN for research and
advocacy initiatives focused on new treatments and lymphedema education
for those diagnosed at-risk for the disease; and

WHEREAS, She has worked tirelessly to promote lymphedema and
lymphatic disease education, research and advocacy, and continues to be
a positive role model for all lymphedema and lymphatic disease patients;
and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
honor Deborah Carey for her outstanding advocacy and promotion of
lymphedema education and awareness; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Deborah Carey, and the Lymphatic Education & Research
Network.