Assembly Resolution No. 1259

BY: M. of A. Rules (Jones)

LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor
Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2018, as Cystic
Fibrosis 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
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim May 2018, as Cystic
Fibrosis Awareness Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, a donor-supported nonprofit
organization, is the world's leader in the search for a cure for cystic
fibrosis, having raised and invested hundreds of millions of dollars to
help develop drugs and therapies; and

WHEREAS, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is working to cure cystic
fibrosis and to provide all people struggling with the disease the
opportunity to lead full, productive lives; and

WHEREAS, Cystic fibrosis, commonly referred to as "CF", is a genetic
disease affecting approximately 30,000 children and adults in the United
States and nearly 70,000 children and adults worldwide, 1,625 of whom
live in New York; and

WHEREAS, A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally
thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs, and these secretions produce
life-threatening lung infections and obstruct the pancreas, preventing
digestive enzymes from reaching the intestines to help break down and
absorb food; and

WHEREAS, More than 10 million Americans are symptomless carriers of
the defective CF gene, and CF occurs in approximately one of every 3,500
live births in the United States; and

WHEREAS, The median age of survival for a person with CF is 41.1
years; and

WHEREAS, With advances in the treatment of CF, the number of adults
with CF has steadily grown, and approximately 1,000 new cases of CF are
diagnosed each year; and

WHEREAS, Through the CF Foundation's efforts, the life expectancy of
a child with CF has doubled in the last 30 years, and research to find a
cure is more promising than ever; and

WHEREAS, Nearly 50% of the CF population is 18 years of age and
older, and people with CF have a variety of symptoms attributed to the
more than 1,800 mutations of the CF gene; and

WHEREAS, Infant blood screening to detect genetic defects is the
most reliable and least costly method to identify persons likely to have
CF; and

WHEREAS, Early diagnosis of CF permits early treatment and enhances
quality of life and longevity and the treatment of CF depends on the
stage of the disease and the organs involved; and

WHEREAS, Clearing mucus from the lungs is an important part of the
daily CF treatment regimen, and other types of treatments include
inhaled antibiotics and pancreatic enzymes, among others; and

WHEREAS, There are 13 world-class treatment centers in this
Commonwealth which specialize in the diagnosis of CF and the care of
persons with CF; 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 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 May 2018, as Cystic
Fibrosis Awareness Month 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.