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

WHEREAS, Each year, the Lupus Agencies of New York State designate May
as Lupus Awareness Month to show support for the 105,400 New Yorkers,
1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide who suffer from the
often debilitating effects of Lupus, a chronic autoimmune disease that
can cause severe damage to the tissue and organs in the body and, in
some cases, death; and
WHEREAS, Each year thousands of people are newly diagnosed with Lupus,
the great majority of whom are young people in the prime of their lives,
and 90% of whom are women; and
WHEREAS, Lupus is most prevalent among African-Americans, Hispanics,
Native Americans, Asians; and tragically, thousands of people die from
Lupus each year because a cure remains elusive; and
WHEREAS, Many health professionals are unaware of symptoms and health
effects of Lupus, causing people with Lupus to suffer for many years
before they obtain a correct diagnosis and medical treatment, demon-
strating the need for increased public and professional awareness of
Lupus; and
WHEREAS, Medical research efforts into Lupus and the discovery of
safer, more effective treatments for Lupus patients are under-funded in
comparison with diseases of comparable magnitude and severity; and
WHEREAS, Increasing community awareness and focusing public attention
on Lupus and its devastating impact on patients' lives will provide hope
for a better future for those affected; and
WHEREAS, The Lupus Agencies of New York State are dedicated to:
"improving the quality of life for individuals with Lupus and their
loved ones by providing education, support and outreach services, and
promoting programs of awareness, advocacy, and research"; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the needs of those chron-
ically ill people who are living with Lupus and urges all citizens to
support the search for a cure and assist those individuals and families
who deal with this devastating disease on a daily basis; now, therefore,
be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2012 as Lupus
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York, and the Lupus Agencies of New York State.