LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 1, 2015, as Ocular Melanoma 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 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 March 1, 2015, as Ocular
Melanoma Awareness Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, In collaboration with A Cure In Sight, the Ocular Melanoma
Foundation (OMF) is proud to be a part of Eye Patch Day for Ocular Mela-
noma (OM) Awareness; on Wednesday, May 20, 2015, OM Warriors around the
globe will wear eye patches to raise awareness for ocular melanoma; and
WHEREAS, Ocular Melanoma, scientifically named uveal melanoma, is a
cancer (melanoma) of the eye involving the iris, ciliary body, or
choroid, collectively referred to as the uvea; and
WHEREAS, Tumors arise from the pigment cells (melanocytes) that reside
within the uvea giving color to the eye; these melanocytes are distinct
from the retinal pigment epithelium cells underlying the retina that do
not form melanomas; and
WHEREAS, Uveal melanomas, often referred to by the media and in the
general population as ocular melanomas, may arise from any of the three
parts of the uvea, and are sometimes referred to by their location, as
choroidal melanoma, ciliary body melanoma, or iris melanoma; and
WHEREAS, Large tumors often encompass multiple parts of the uvea and
can be named accordingly; true iris melanomas, originating from within
the iris as opposed to originating elsewhere and invading the iris, are
distinct in their etiology and prognosis, such that the other tumors are
often referred to collectively as Posterior uveal melanomas; and
WHEREAS, Ocular melanoma is the most common primary cancer of the eye
in adults; it is diagnosed in about 2,500 adults every year in the
United States and occurs most often in lightly pigmented individuals
with a median age of 55 years; however, it can occur in all races and at
any age; and
WHEREAS, In both the United States and Europe, this equates to about 5
- 7.5 cases per million people per year and, for people over 50 years
old, the incidence rate increases to around 21 per million per year; 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 the patients 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 March 1, 2015, as
Ocular Melanoma 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.