Assembly Resolution No. 270

BY: M. of A. Burdick

COMMEMORATING the 25th Anniversary of Making
Headway Foundation

WHEREAS, Organizations which serve the interests of the people of
this Empire State merit the commendation of this Legislative Body; and

WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of
certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to
recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of
society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the
basic humanity among us all; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the
25th Anniversary of Making Headway Foundation; and

WHEREAS, Making Headway Foundation was established in 1996 to
provide "Care, Comfort, and a Cure" with a mission to provide passionate
care for children and families impacted by a pediatric brain or spinal
cord tumor, while funding medical research geared to better treatments
and a cure; and

WHEREAS, Pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors are the leading
cause of cancer-related death among children and adolescents ages 0-19
years; over 4,500 new cases of childhood brain or spinal cord tumors are
diagnosed in the United States every year; and

WHEREAS, Additionally, more than 28,000 children and teenagers are
currently living with the diagnosis of a primary brain or spinal cord
tumor in the United States; and

WHEREAS, Children's brain and spinal cord tumors are different from
those in diagnosed adults; they require specific research and different
treatments, and can lead to significant short-term and long-term mental
and/or physical challenges; and

WHEREAS, Making Headway Foundation was founded by Chappaqua
residents Maya and Edward Manley who, as volunteers, have devoted 25
years of their lives to nurturing this vital organization's growth, and
providing a wide range of free-of-charge holistic programs and services;
and

WHEREAS, Since its inception, Making Headway Foundation has widened
its reach from a few families in 1996, to many thousands today, helping
each family through unimaginably difficult times; and

WHEREAS, Making Headway Foundation has raised and allocated over
$26,600,000 to support medical research, quality-of-life programs,
college scholarships, hospital care services, clinical trials,
neuro-oncology fellowships, family events, emergency care, educational
advocacy, bereavement services, public education, playroom improvements,
free family and individual therapy, health and wellness, tissue banking,
and research equipment; and

WHEREAS, Making Headway Foundation's tireless support of research
has led to critical discoveries in the areas of hypoxia proliferation of
neuroblastoma, immunotherapy, medulloblastoma, sonic hedgehog pathway
mutations, novel medications, epigenetic signatures in DIPG, pilocytic
astrocytomas, and vulnerabilities of pediatric high-grade gliomas; and

WHEREAS, Furthermore, this support of research also led to the
establishment of the Preclinical Core at the New York University Langone
Medical Center, the country's first laboratory where novel therapies can
be tested on any subtype of pediatric brain tumor sample; and

WHEREAS, Making Headway's Ongoing Care Team has provided families
with over 11,500 hours of free, expert, psychological therapy to help
them through their journey and over 8,000 hours of free, professional,
educational advocacy services, ensuring that each child receives the
school-based services and assistance they need to reach their academic
potential; and

WHEREAS, Making Headway Foundation has awarded over 100 college
scholarships to survivors of a brain or spinal cord tumor; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when
individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are
brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by
all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend Making Headway Foundation and its founders upon the occasion of
its 25th Anniversary, and to express its appreciation for the many
contributions they have made and for their unceasing dedication to
helping children diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Maya and Edward Manley, Making Headway Foundation.