LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 2016 as Alopecia 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 September 2016 as Alopecia
Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with National
Alopecia Awareness Month; and
WHEREAS, Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune skin disease resulting in
the loss of hair on the scalp and elsewhere on the body; and
WHEREAS, With Alopecia Areata, the affected hair follicles are mistak-
enly attacked by a person's immune system, resulting in the loss of
hair; and
WHEREAS, Alopecia Areata is a common but very challenging and capri-
cious disease affecting approximately 2 percent of the American popu-
lation, amounting to more than 4.7 million people in the United States;
and
WHEREAS, With appropriate treatment, a large percentage of patients
will have all of their hair back within one year, many will have it back
sooner; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 5% of children with Alopecia Areata will go on
to develop Alopecia Totalis, the loss of all the hair on the scalp, and
some children will develop Alopecia Universalis, the complete loss of
body hair; and
WHEREAS, There is no cure for Alopecia Areata and unfortunately since
there is little understanding of the disease there are no FDA approved
drugs or treatments specifically designed to address Alopecia Areata;
and
WHEREAS, Although not life-threatening, Alopecia Areata is most
certainly life-altering, and its sudden onset, recurrent episodes, and
unpredictable course have a serious effect on a person's life and func-
tional status at work, school, and everyday life; and
WHEREAS, According to the National Alopecia Areata Foundation, 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 September 2016 as
Alopecia Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
National Alopecia Awareness Month; 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 National Alopecia Areata Foundation.