Senate Resolution No. 2566

BY: Senator PARKER

MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
June 19, 2017, as Sickle Cell 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
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
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 19, 2017, as
Sickle Cell Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with
the observance of World Sickle Cell Day on June 19, 2016; and

WHEREAS, World Sickle Cell Day, celebrated on June 19th of each
year, is recognized globally and was created by the United Nations by
resolution; in the United States, September is Sickle Cell Disease
Awareness Month, however it is not recognized in every state and is not
recognized globally; it is created by State representatives voting to
recognize it in their individual state; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease is a hereditary blood disorder that can
cause severe pain and result in damage to the brain and other vital
organs like the kidneys, liver, spleen and heart; and

WHEREAS, People who have the disease, but do not experience the
symptoms are said to have the sickle cell trait; currently, an estimated
100,000 Americans are living with the disease; and

WHEREAS, Since Sickle Cell Awareness Month was created in 1983,
every child born in the United States is screened for the disease so
that those diagnosed can begin treatment right away; and

WHEREAS, The only known cure for sickle cell disease is through a
transplant of bone marrow or stem cells; and

WHEREAS, Sickle cell disease is most common in Africans and
African-Americans, but the disease can also be found in other
demographics, primarily in South and Central America, the Caribbean,
Mediterranean countries and India; approximately 1 in 12
African-Americans are diagnosed with the trait; and

WHEREAS, The most basic symptoms of sickle cell disease are fatigue,
shortness of breath and episodes of serious pain that will likely
require hospitalization; these symptoms will begin to show within the
very first year of a person's life if they have the disease and the pain
ranges from mild to very severe; and

WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater 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 June 19, 2017, as
Sickle Cell Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.