Senate Resolution No. 2619

BY: Senator MONTGOMERY

COMMENDING the Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients
Network upon the occasion of hosting its Let's Face
Sickle Cell event on Wednesday, November 15, 2017,
in Manhattan

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize that
the quality and character of life in the communities across New York
State are reflective of the concerned and dedicated efforts of those
organizations and individuals who would devote themselves to the welfare
of the community and its citizenry; and

WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
commend the Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network upon the occasion
of hosting its Let's Face Sickle Cell event on Wednesday, November 15,
2017, in Manhattan; and

WHEREAS, The Sickle Cell/Thalassemia Patients Network (SCTPN) began
in 1989 as an adult support group for individuals living with sickle
cell disease and Cooley's Anemia; and

WHEREAS, Under the direction of President Donnette Carroll, SCTPN
has been dedicated to improving the quality of life of individuals and
families living with sickle cell disease, thalassemia (Cooley's Anemia)
and other hemoglobin variants; 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 carry one sickle cell gene, do not have the
disease and experience no symptoms, they are said to have the sickle
cell trait; currently, an estimated 100,000 Americans are living with
the disease; 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 the sense of this Legislative Body that when
organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our

attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens
of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commend the Sickle Cell Thalassemia Patients Network upon the occasion
of hosting its Let's Face Sickle Cell event on Wednesday, November 15,
2017, in Manhattan; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to President Donnette Carroll, Sickle Cell Thalassemia
Patients Network.