LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim January 31, 2016, as Omphalocele Awareness Day in the State of
New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Omphalocele
Awareness Day

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, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim January 31, 2016, as Omphalo-
cele Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the
observance of National Omphalocele Awareness Day as part of the Birth
Defects Prevention Month; and
WHEREAS, An omphalocele is a birth defect that occurs early in preg-
nancy in which the abdominal wall does not close properly and some or
most of the abdominal organs protrude on the outside of the fetus' body
through the umbilical cord; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that a small omphalocele occurs in about 1
out of every 5,000 pregnancies and a large or giant omphalocele occurs
in about 1 out of every 10,000 pregnancies; and
WHEREAS, An omphalocele may be isolated or may be associated with
other defects or chromosomal abnormalities; and
WHEREAS, Despite the challenges a baby born with an omphalocele may
face, many babies who are born with an omphalocele survive and go on to
live happy, healthy lives; and
WHEREAS, Mothers of Omphaloceles (MOO) is a group of over 1,400
parents from around the world that was created to provide hope, support
and information to families with babies diagnosed with an omphalocele;
and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize MOO for
their courageous efforts to advocate for their children and raise aware-
ness that an omphalocele is a treatable condition; 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 State, local 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 January 31, 2016, as
Omphalocele Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Omphalocele 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, and Mothers of Omphaloceles.