LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor David A. Paterson to
proclaim May 26, 2009, as XP Awareness Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, XP, Xeroderma Pigmentosum, is a rare genetic disease where
patients lack the ability to repair damage done to their cells by ultra-
violet radiation (mostly sunlight, but also man-made lighting like
fluorescent, halogen, halide, mercury vapor, sodium vapor); being
exposed to this radiation causes damage that results in cell death and
mutation, leading to hundreds of skin and eye tumors; and
WHEREAS, There is no cure for XP at present, and the only management
of the disease is avoidance of UV sources and removal of any neoplasms
immediately upon discovery; and
WHEREAS, Patients suffering from XP face surgery, skin grafts, cornea
transplants and chemical treatments, most will not live to adulthood;
and
WHEREAS, There are less than 150 cases of XP in the United States, a
few thousand in the world; research for XP for a cure would also help
millions of people worldwide who suffer from a global epidemic of skin
cancer; and
WHEREAS, May 26, 2009, is National XP Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, In conjunction with National XP Awareness Day, it is most
appropriate that this great Empire State recognize May 26, 2009, as XP
Awareness Day in the State of New York; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor David A. Paterson to proclaim May 26, 2009, as XP
Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable David A. Paterson, Governor of the State of New
York.