Assembly Resolution No. 617

BY: M. of A. Cunningham

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
May 28, 2025, as Blood Cancer Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize
official days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues
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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim Wednesday, May 28, 2025,
as Blood Cancer Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of World Blood Cancer Day; and

WHEREAS, Every three to four minutes, someone in the U.S. is
diagnosed with a blood cancer; and

WHEREAS, Every year, 18,000 patients are diagnosed with
life-threatening blood cancers or disorders for which a blood stem cell
transplant from a related or unrelated volunteer donor may be their best
or only hope of a cure; and

WHEREAS, A bone marrow or blood stem cell transplant can cure or
treat more than 75 blood cancers and diseases, including leukemia and
lymphoma; and

WHEREAS, For nearly 40 years, NMDP (National Marrow Donor Program)
has been providing hope and healing to patients by managing the national
registry of volunteer blood cell donors; and

WHEREAS, Seventy-five percent of patients do not have a fully
matched donor in their family and must rely on NMDP to help find an
unrelated donor or cord blood unit; and

WHEREAS, Matching volunteer donors to patients is more complex than
simple blood donation and requires matching on a genetic level, based on
blood protein types; and

WHEREAS, The national registry, operated by NMDP, provides access to
more than 42 million lifesaving donors worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Adding your name to the registry of potential donors
requires only a few minutes of time and a simple cheek swab; and

WHEREAS, 406,000 residents of New York have already joined the
national registry and over 700 residents answered the call and said yes
to donating during the last five years; and

WHEREAS, Over 7,000 New Yorkers have received a potentially
life-saving transplant through the NMDP Registry since its inception;
and

WHEREAS, NMDP will raise awareness at the New York State Capitol by
providing educational information and offering registration
opportunities on Thursday, May 29, 2025, from 8:00am to 1:00pm at the
New York Legislative Office Building; and

WHEREAS, Observing World Blood Cancer Day on May 28, 2025, provides
a special opportunity to recognize the patients facing blood cancers and
the selfless volunteer donors who joined the NMDP Registry to help save
lives; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim May 28, 2025, as Blood
Cancer Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.