Bill Text: NY K00781 | 2019-2020 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 6, 2020, as Lymphedema Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 31-17)

Status: (Passed) 2020-02-25 - adopted [K00781 Detail]

Download: New_York-2019-K00781-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 781

BY: M. of A. Rosenthal L

        LEGISLATIVE      RESOLUTION  memorializing  Governor
        Andrew M.  Cuomo  to  proclaim  March  6,  2020,  as
        Lymphedema   Day  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in
        conjunction with the observance of the fifth  Annual
        World Lymphedema Day

  WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing days
of awareness of important medical conditions, in the hopes of increasing
education, treatment and cure; and

  WHEREAS,  In  2016, this Legislative Body was the first to establish
World Lymphedema Day on March 6th; and

  WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative  Body  to  memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 6, 2020, as Lymphedema Day in
the  State  of New York, in conjunction with the observance of the fifth
Annual World Lymphedema Day; 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,  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 and requires 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; and that 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 in primary lymphedema; or develop  after  cancer
treatment,  radiation  therapy,  major  surgery,  severe  burns or other
traumatic injuries such as those affecting our combat  tested  veterans,
referred to as secondary lymphedema; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Center  for Disease Control estimates that 20%-40% 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% increase in
cancer survivors 65 years of age and older by 2020, and as many  as  1.5
to  3  million  Medicare  beneficiaries  who  are  cancer survivors will
require treatment for their 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 Andrew M. Cuomo  to  proclaim  March  6,  2020,  as
Lymphedema  Day  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in conjunction with the
observance of the fifth Annual World Lymphedema Day; and be it further

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