Bill Text: NY J01824 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2019, as Pulmonary Fibrosis Month in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Passed) 2019-06-12 - ADOPTED [J01824 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-J01824-Introduced.html

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Senate Resolution No. 1824

BY: Senator AKSHAR

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        September  2019,  as Pulmonary Fibrosis 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  September  2019,  as
Pulmonary Fibrosis Month in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS,  Pulmonary  Fibrosis is a disease of the lungs which occurs
when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred; when the tissue around the
air sacs in the lungs thickens, it is more difficult for oxygen to  pass
into  the  bloodstream  causing  those with pulmonary fibrosis to become
progressively more short of breath; and

  WHEREAS, Scarring associated with pulmonary fibrosis can  be  caused
by many factors making it difficult for doctors to pinpoint the specific
cause of the problem, and in most cases the cause is never found; when a
definite  cause  cannot  be  found,  the  condition is termed Idiopathic
Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF); and

  WHEREAS, The symptoms of pulmonary  fibrosis  vary  from  person  to
person  and  include  shortness  of breath, a dry cough, fatigue, weight
loss, and aching muscles and joints; and

  WHEREAS, A lack of clinical understanding  of  IPF  often  leads  to
misdiagnosis,  and  it is estimated more than 50 percent of IPF patients
may be initially misdiagnosed delaying  treatment  and  the  ability  to
perform adequate clinical trials; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  estimated approximately 130,000 Americans have IPF
although there are published estimates suggesting the number may  be  as
high as 200,000; and

  WHEREAS,  IPF  is  found  in  equal  proportions  in urban and rural
environments but affects more men than women, the majority of  whom  are
50 years-old or older; and

  WHEREAS,  The  average life expectancy from the diagnosis of the IPF
is just 2.8 years, and as many as 80 percent of IPF patients die  within
five years of diagnosis; and

  WHEREAS,  Pulmonary  fibrosis  takes  the  lives  of  40,000 or more
individuals in the United States each year, approximately one individual
every 13 minutes; and

  WHEREAS, Researchers have several theories  on  the  causes  of  IPF
including:  viruses;  exposure  to tobacco smoke; airborne toxins in the
workplace such as silica dust, asbestos fibers,  grain  dust,  bird  and

animal  droppings; certain lung diseases; and even some types of medical
treatments; since IPF often runs in families, heredity is also  believed
to play a role; and

  WHEREAS,  The lung scarring that occurs in pulmonary fibrosis cannot
be reversed and no current treatment has proved  effective  in  stopping
the  progression  of  the  disease  although some treatments may improve
symptoms temporarily or slow the disease's progress; and

  WHEREAS, Lung transplantation may be the option of last  resort  for
patients with severe IPF; and

  WHEREAS,  As  of  July  2018,  there are no confirmed biomarkers for
screening and testing for pulmonary fibrosis; and

  WHEREAS, It is imperative there be greater public awareness of  this
serious  health  condition,  and more must be done to encourage research
and activity at the State, local and  national  levels  to  support  the
patients as well as their families; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  This  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo  to  proclaim  September  2019,  as
Pulmonary Fibrosis Month in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  this  Legislative Body pause further to continue to
support more robust and accelerated research to develop  more  effective
treatments  for pulmonary fibrosis and to ultimately find a cure for the
disease; recognize the courage and  contributions  of  individuals  with
pulmonary  fibrosis  who participate in vital clinical trials to advance
the  knowledge  of  the  disease;  and   commend   the   dedication   of
organizations,  volunteers  and  researchers  from the State of New York
working to improve the quality of life for  individuals  with  pulmonary
fibrosis and the families of those individuals; 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.