LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 2015 as Sickle Cell 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 September 2015 as Sickle Cell
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the obser-
vance of National Sickle Cell Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, The health and welfare of the residents of New York are vital
state and national concerns; and
WHEREAS, September has been designated as National Sickle Cell Aware-
ness Month as a result of a 1983 resolution initiated by the Sickle Cell
Disease Association of America and its member organizations; the resol-
ution was introduced to the United States Congress by the Congressional
Black Congress and unanimously approved by the House of Representatives
on September 1, 2014; and
WHEREAS, Sickle Cell Disease, an inherited group of red blood cell
disorders, affects an estimated 90,000 to 100,000 people in the United
States; and
WHEREAS, Most common in African Americans, Sickle Cell Disease also
affects other ethnic populations, including those of Greek, Turkish,
Italian, Hispanic, and East Indian descent; and
WHEREAS, People with Sickle Cell Disease begin developing symptoms
during the first year of life, usually around five months of age, and
symptoms and complications differ for each person and can range from
mild to severe; and
WHEREAS, The "sickle cells," or abnormally shaped red blood cells,
become trapped in small blood vessels and block the flow of blood and
oxygen to organs in the body, causing repeated episodes of severe pain,
organ damage, serious infection, or even stroke; 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 to support those directly affected
as well as their families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2015 as Sick-
le Cell 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.