Senate Resolution No. 2460

BY: Senator HANNON

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
November 2017, as Epilepsy 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
conditions 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
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim November 2017, as
Epilepsy Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of National Epilepsy Awareness Month; and

WHEREAS, Epilepsy, also known as a seizure disorder, is a
neurological disorder where the brain's normal electrical pattern is
disrupted by sudden and synchronized bursts of electrical energy that
may affect consciousness, movement or sensation while creating long-term
effects on the lifestyle of individuals with epilepsy; and

WHEREAS, Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder that results in
almost one-third of epilepsy patients living with uncontrolled seizures
due to a lack of clinically available treatment that works for them; and

WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, epilepsy affects an estimated 3 million Americans, and 65
million people worldwide; and

WHEREAS, 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy and 200,000 new cases
of epilepsy are diagnosed each year in the United States, and
approximately 50,000 people will die from an epilepsy-related cause; and

WHEREAS, Epilepsy affects more people than multiple sclerosis,
cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy and Parkinson's combined; and

WHEREAS, It strikes most often among the very young and the very
old, although anyone can develop epilepsy at any age; in the United
States, it affects more than 300,000 children under the age of 15, more
than 90,000 of whom have seizures that cannot be adequately treated; and

WHEREAS, The number of epilepsy cases in the elderly is climbing as
the baby boom generation reaches retirement age; more than 570,000
adults age 65 and above have the condition; it costs the United States
approximately $15.5 billion each year in caring for and treating
epilepsy; and

WHEREAS, While medications and other treatments help many people of
all ages who live with epilepsy, more than a million people continue to
have seizures that can severely limit their school achievements,
employment prospects and participation in all of life's experiences; and

WHEREAS, Despite its prevalence, epilepsy is among the least
understood of major chronic medical conditions, even though one in three
adults knows someone with the disorder; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater public awareness of
this serious health condition, 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 November 2017, as
Epilepsy Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York, and the Epilepsy Foundation.