Senate Resolution No. 1884

 

By: Senator Sanders

 

Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 12-19, 2019, like Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Week in the State of New York

 

Whereas, It is the custom of this legislative body to recognize official weeks that are set aside to increase awareness of 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 tradition, this Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Andre M. Cuomo to proclaim June 12-19, 2019, as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Week in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of World Sickle Cell Day Wednesday, June 19, 2019; and

 

Whereas, Sickle cell disease is a chronic 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 Sickle Cell trait; currently, an estimated 100,000 Americans are living with the disease; and

 

Whereas, Frequent pain episodes can result in necrosis of the hips, knees, ankle, and shoulder; there can be entrapment of blood in the spleen, severe anemia, acute lung complications (acute chest syndrome), priapism in males, and difficult pregnancy for women of childbearing age; and

 

Whereas, these life-threatening complications can develop rapidly, including infections of the blood (sepsis), meningitis and stroke; stroke can be either silent (no overt symptoms) or clinical (with symptoms) and can affect children as young as 18 months; and

 

Whereas, Up to 40% of children will have had either a silent or clinical stroke by the age of 18 and this impacts their ability to learn and/or hold a job; 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, Sickle Cell disease affects approximately 100,000 Americans and 10% of these patients reside in New York State, and 80% of those patients live in the New York City area; and

 

Whereas, Sickle Cell disease is the most costly per patient to New York State Medicaid, costing $15,000/year/patient; and

Whereas, The only known cure for sickle cell disease is through a transplant of bone marrow or stem cells; now, therefore, be it

 

Resolved, That this Legislative Body pause in it’s deliberation to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 12-19, 2019. As Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Week in the State of New York; and be it

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