Senate Resolution No. 1729

BY: Senator KENNEDY

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim
March 6, 2022, as Lymphedema Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing days
of awareness for significant medical conditions with hopes of increasing
education as well as finding treatments and cures; and

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 6, 2022, as Lymphedema Day in
the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of the Seventh
Annual World Lymphedema Day; and

WHEREAS, This Legislative Body was the first to establish Lymphedema
Day on March 6, 2016; and

WHEREAS, Lymphedema is a disease that occurs when the body's natural
lymphatic drainage system is damaged, blocked, or does not develop
properly and the lymphatic fluid within a given area, such as the arm,
leg, torso, head or neck, is unable to drain properly; this results in
extreme swelling that impairs mobility, function, and can cause pain and
significantly impair quality of life for the affected person; and

WHEREAS, The total number of persons living with or at risk for
lymphedema is difficult to establish because lymphedema is
under-reported and often misdiagnosed; and

WHEREAS, The under-diagnosing and under-treating of lymphedema
patients costs healthcare providers and healthcare insurers, including
Medicare, untold millions of dollars every year because if left
untreated, the potential for infection is greatly increased and may come
on in the course of a few hours, requiring immediate treatment on an
emergency basis; and

WHEREAS, The World Health Organization estimates that over 250
million people worldwide have secondary lymphedema and an additional 120
million people worldwide are infected with lymphatic filariasis, which
leads to lymphedema; Stanford University estimates that up to 10 million
Americans are affected by Lymphedema; and

WHEREAS, Lymphedema can be inherited, present at birth or manifest
itself later in life as primary lymphedema; the disease can develop
after cancer treatment, radiation therapy, major surgery, severe burns
or other traumatic injuries such as those affecting our combat tested
veterans, which is referred to as secondary lymphedema; and

WHEREAS, The Center for Disease Control estimates that 20-40 percent
of all cancer survivors will develop lymphedema at some point in their
lifetime, with an even higher percentage among the elderly; and

WHEREAS, The National Cancer Institute predicts a 42 percent
increase in cancer survivors 65 years of age and older, and as many as

1.5 to 3 million Medicare beneficiaries who are cancer survivors will
require treatment for lymphedema; and

WHEREAS, In recognition of the financial, physical and psychological
impact that Lymphedema has on those afflicted, it is incumbent upon the
citizens of the State of New York to support the courageous individuals
living and coping with this debilitating condition as well as their
caregivers, both professional and lay persons; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
tireless advocates and healthcare providers who spend so much of their
time and resources battling this painful and destructive disease that
affects so many; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim March 6, 2022, as
Lymphedema 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 Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New
York.