LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim February 28, 2014, as SIDS/SUDC Awareness Day in the State of
New York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious illnesses 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 February 28, 2014, as
SIDS/SUDC Awareness Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is defined as the sudden
death of an infant less than one year of age that cannot be explained
after a thorough investigation is conducted, including a complete autop-
sy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history;
it is the leading cause of death among infants aged one to 12 months,
and is the third leading cause overall of infant mortality in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, SUDC (Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood) is the sudden
and unexpected death of a child over the age of twelve months, which
remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation is conducted;
similar to SIDS, SUDC is a diagnosis of exclusion, given when all known
and possible causes of death have been ruled out; and
WHEREAS, By definition, SIDS applies only to the death of babies youn-
ger than 12 months, while SUDC victims are past their first birthday
whose deaths go unexplained even after an autopsy, a death scene inves-
tigation and medical history review; and
WHEREAS, SUDC is not new, but is rare with a reported incidence of 1.2
deaths per 100,000 children, compared to 54 deaths per 100,000 live
births for SIDS (United States, 2005); presently, SUDC cannot be
predicted and/or prevented since its cause is unknown, and most SUDC
deaths occur between the ages of one and three, but researchers have
looked at cases of children as old as 15; and
WHEREAS, Such was the case for young Ethan Gregory Spina, a perfectly
healthy boy who, at two years and four months of age, with only a cold,
went to bed on the night of February 27, 2013, and passed away on the
morning of February 28th when he succumbed to SUDC; and
WHEREAS, The parents of Ethan Gregory Spina along with other families
from different parts of Nassau and Suffolk Counties are struggling to
cope with this difficult situation as they have similar stories; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health crisis, and more must be done to increase activity
at the State, local and national levels; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim February 28, 2014, as
SIDS/SUDC 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 Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.