LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim May 2016, as Cystic Fibrosis 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 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, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2016, as Cystic Fibrosis
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a donor-supported nonprofit
organization, is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic
fibrosis, having raised and invested hundreds of millions of dollars to
help develop drugs and therapies; and
WHEREAS, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is working to cure cystic
fibrosis and to provide all people struggling with the disease the
opportunity to lead full, productive lives; and
WHEREAS, Cystic fibrosis, commonly referred to as "CF", is a genetic
disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United
States and nearly 70,000 children and adults worldwide, 1,625 of whom
live in New York; and
WHEREAS, A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally
thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, and these secretions produce
life-threatening lung infections and obstruct the pancreas, preventing
digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and
absorb food; and
WHEREAS, More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of
the defective CF gene, and CF occurs in approximately one of every 3,500
live births in the United States; and
WHEREAS, The median age of survival for a person with CF is 41.1
years; and
WHEREAS, With advances in the treatment of CF, the number of adults
with CF has steadily grown, and approximately 1,000 new cases of CF are
diagnosed each year; and
WHEREAS, Through the CF Foundation's efforts, the life expectancy of a
child with CF has doubled in the last 30 years, and research to find a
cure is more promising than ever; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 50% of the CF population is 18 years of age and older,
and people with CF have a variety of symptoms attributed to the more
than 1,800 mutations of the CF gene; and
WHEREAS, Infant blood screening to detect genetic defects is the most
reliable and least costly method to identify persons likely to have CF;
and
WHEREAS, Early diagnosis of CF permits early treatment and enhances
quality of life and longevity and the treatment of CF depends on the
stage of the disease and the organs involved; and
WHEREAS, Clearing mucus from the lungs is an important part of the
daily CF treatment regimen, and other types of treatments include
inhaled antibiotics and pancreatic enzymes, among others; and
WHEREAS, There are 13 world-class treatment centers in this Common-
wealth which specialize in the diagnosis of CF and the care of persons
with CF; 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 2016, as Cystic
Fibrosis 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.