LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim October 1, 2016, as Food Allergy 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 health 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, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorial-
ize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 1, 2016, as Food Aller-
gy Awareness Day in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Food allergy is a disease in which the body's immune system
mistakenly targets a harmless food protein (an allergen) as a threat; to
fight this threat, the body releases histamine and other chemicals,
causing symptoms that can range from skin rashes and stomach problems to
life-threatening anaphylaxis; and
WHEREAS, Although a person can be allergic to any food, eight foods
(milk, egg, peanut, tree nuts, wheat, soy, fish and shellfish) cause
most food allergy reactions in the United States; and
WHEREAS, Anyone, at any age, can develop a food allergy, but the
impact on children is especially severe; there is no cure, and no stand-
ard treatment to prevent food allergy reactions; and
WHEREAS, Strict avoidance of problem foods is the only way to stay
safe; and
WHEREAS, With the number of people who have food allergies increasing
at a significant rate, this potentially fatal condition is a growing
public health issue; and
WHEREAS, Food allergies affect up to 15 million Americans, including 1
in 13 children - roughly two in every classroom; and
WHEREAS, Nearly 40 percent of these children have already experienced
a severe or life-threatening reaction; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,
the number of children with food allergies in the United States
increased 50 percent between 1997 and 2011; and
WHEREAS, Every three minutes, a food allergy reaction sends someone to
the emergency room; and
WHEREAS, Caring for children with food allergies costs families nearly
$25 billion per year; and
WHEREAS, Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) works on behalf of
the 15 million Americans with food allergies, including all those at
risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis; and
WHEREAS, Remaining true to its mission, FARE improves the quality of
life and the health of individuals with food allergies, and provides
them with hope through the promise of new treatments; and
WHEREAS, FARE's work is organized around three core tenets: life--sup-
port the ability of individuals with food allergies to live safe,
productive lives with the respect of others through education and advo-
cacy initiatives; health--enhance the healthcare access of individuals
with food allergies to state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment; and
hope--encourage and fund research in both industry and academia that
promises new therapies to improve the allergic condition; and
WHEREAS, A FARE Walk for Food Allergy has been organized to be held at
The Crossings of Colonie, Loudonville, New York, on Saturday, October 1,
2016; in addition to this Albany Walk, several other Walks have been
scheduled throughout the State of New York, in an effort to say FAREwell
to Food Allergies, and to raise the critical funds and awareness neces-

sary to create a safer, more inclusive world for those who suffer with
food allergies; and
WHEREAS, FARE Walk participants are committed to raising money in this
inspirational event to fund FARE's research, advocacy and education
initiatives, and to show support to those with food allergies who walk
among us in our lives; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness and under-
standing of this serious health condition, and more must be done to
increase activity at the local, State and National levels; now, there-
fore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim October 1, 2016, as
Food Allergy Awareness Day in the State of New York; 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, and the organizers of FARE in Albany County.