LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim October 3, 2016, as Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Day in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Day

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days set aside to increase awareness of serious issues which 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 October 3, 2016, as Inflamma-
tory Breast Cancer Awareness Day in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer Organization, a non-profit
organization which uses humor to further its cause, is joined by the
Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Research Foundation; the IBC Founda-
tion, and its founder Patti Bradfield; and Massimo Cristofanilli, M.D.,
FACP Professor of Medicine, and Associate Director of Translational
Research and Precision Medicine Department of Medicine-Hematology and
Oncology at the Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center Feinberg
School of Medicine to raise awareness about this deadly disease; and
WHEREAS, IBC is an extremely rare, advanced and accelerated form of
breast cancer usually not detected by mammograms or ultrasounds; this
form of breast cancer requires immediate aggressive treatment with
chemotherapy prior to surgery and is treated differently than more
common types of breast cancer; and
WHEREAS, With a 40% to 50% survival rate, IBC is a much higher-mortal-
ity disease with a high risk of recurrence in the first two to three
years; it is almost always fatal within 10 years; and
WHEREAS, Inflammatory breast cancer usually grows in nests or sheets,
and it presents itself with redness and swelling, rather than a solid
tumor, so it can spread throughout the breast without a detectable lump;
and
WHEREAS, An early diagnosis and quick initiation of treatment improves
the chances of long-term survival; and
WHEREAS, While young women are at a lower risk for breast cancer, even
teenagers have been diagnosed with IBC; and
WHEREAS, Knowing the signs of IBC, receiving a correct diagnosis, and
quick treatment are critical to successfully treating this type of
breast cancer; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 3, 2016, as
Inflammatory Breast Cancer Awareness Day in the State of New York, in
conjunction with the observance of National Inflammatory Breast Cancer
Awareness Day; 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, Fighting 4 the Tatas Breast Cancer Organization; Inflammatory
Breast Cancer Research Foundation; Patti Bradfield, Founder, the IBC
Foundation; and Massimo Cristofanilli, M.D., FACP.