LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 2012, as Preeclampsia Awareness Month in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
months 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, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2012, as Preeclampsia
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia, including HELLP syndrome and eclampsia, is a
dangerous condition of pregnancy that can, in its severest form, lead to
maternal and/or infant mortality or premature birth with significant
health risks for the mother and baby; and
WHEREAS, Preeclampsia is one of the most common complications of preg-
nancy, with estimates ranging from 5% to 8% of all pregnancies, and is
one of the leading known causes of premature birth; and
WHEREAS, As many as 320,000 cases of preeclampsia are diagnosed in
America every year with approximately 25% resulting in severe, life-
threatening consequences to a pregnant woman and her baby; and
WHEREAS, This equates to more than 1,400 severe cases each week, and
in the United States, more than 1 of those mothers die each week because
of preeclampsia; and
WHEREAS, Worldwide estimates suggest that 76,000 women and 500,000
babies die annually because of preeclampsia; and
WHEREAS, Public education as to the signs and symptoms of preeclamp-
sia, HELLP syndrome and eclampsia can help women recognize the condition
and seek appropriate medical care; and
WHEREAS, Prenatal education should include recognition of those signs
and symptoms (spikes in maternal blood pressure, sudden swelling of face
and hands, severe upper abdominal pain, blurred vision, persistent head-
aches, breathlessness); and
WHEREAS, Many citizens of New York have joined with the Preeclampsia
Foundation to raise public awareness in order to minimize maternal and
infant illness and death due to preeclampsia; and
WHEREAS, Established in 2000, the Preeclampsia Foundation is a non-
profit organization which funds and drives research, raises public and
professional awareness, and provides support and education for those
whose lives have been touched by Preeclampsia, HELLP Syndrome, and other
hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; and
WHEREAS, The Preeclampsia Foundation's mission is to stop preventable
death and disability of mothers and babies by eliminating delays in
diagnosis, implementing the best known practices, developing new prac-
tices, and helping women and their families through the impact of preec-
lampsia; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health issue, 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 May 2012, as Preeclamp-
sia Awareness Month 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.