Senate Resolution No. 560

BY: Senator LANZA

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
June 9, 2021, as Batten Disease Awareness Day in the
State of New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 9, 2021, as Batten
Disease Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of International Batten Disease Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, Batten Disease, also known as
Spielmeyer-Vogt-Sjogren-Batten Disease, is an extremely rare, fatal, and
inherited disorder of the nervous system which usually begins in
childhood between the ages of five and ten; out of every 100,000 babies
born in the United States, it is estimated about two to four have this
disease that is passed down through families; and

WHEREAS, These nervous system disorders are called neuronal ceroid
lipofuscinosis (NCLs) which get worse over time; and

WHEREAS, There are four different types: Congenital NCL which
affects babies and can cause them to be born with seizures and
abnormally small heads; Infantile NCL (INCL) usually shows up between
the ages of six months and two years, and can cause microcephaly, as
well as sharp contractions in the muscles; Late Infantile NCL (LINCL)
typically starts between the ages of two and four with symptoms like
seizures that do not get better with medication, and includes the loss
of muscle coordination; and Adult NCL (ANCL) which starts before the age
of 40; unfortunately, all types lead to premature death; and

WHEREAS, Buildup of fatty substances, called lipopigments, in the
cells of the brain, central nervous system and retina in the eye causes
seizures, cognitive decline, loss of eyesight, speech, and mobility; and

WHEREAS, Batten Disease was first recognized in 1903, by Dr.
Frederick Batten, however, the first genes causing Neuronal Ceroid
Lipofuscinosis were not identified until 1995; and

WHEREAS, Although there is currently no known cure for Batten
Disease, some symptoms, such as seizures, can be treated with
medication, and treatment for one of the forms (CLN2 disease) has been
approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration; and

WHEREAS, Founded in Spanaway, Washington, by Judith A. Grant, the
Batten Disease Support and Research Association (BDSRA) is the largest
support and research organization dedicated to all forms of Batten
Disease in North America; and

WHEREAS, The Batten Disease Registry was established in 1987 at the
NYS Institute for Basic Research in Staten Island, as a national
database for individuals with Batten Disease for researchers, and
remained there until 2019 before being moved to the national BDSRA
office in Ohio; and

WHEREAS, The Metro NY/NJ Chapter of BDSRA was formed in 2001, after
recognizing there were several families in the Metro area with children
stricken by Batten Disease; and

WHEREAS, BDSRA helps to provide the following to those afflicted
with this uncurable disease and their families by organizing an annual
conference, and providing monthly e-newsletter and email alerts, phone
consultations to find community resources and provide support, closed
Facebook group for parents and caregivers, "Ask-an-Expert" Facebook
chats, outreach to bereaved parents, educational consultations and
advocacy and referrals for carrier/genetic testing; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity at
the local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 9, 2021, as Batten
Disease Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York, and the Metro NY/NJ Chapter of BDSRA.