Senate Resolution No. 221

BY: Senator MARTINS

        MEMORIALIZING  Governor  Kathy  Hochul to proclaim
        February 2025, as Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month 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  February 2025, as Marfan Syndrome
Awareness Month in the State of New York; and

  WHEREAS, Marfan syndrome is a potentially  life-threatening  genetic
aortic  and vascular condition that affects the heart and blood vessels,
connective tissues, eyes, bones and joints, lungs, and  other  parts  of
the body; one of the most dangerous parts of the condition is the impact
on  the  aorta, which is the large artery that takes blood away from the
heart; and

  WHEREAS,  In  people  living  with  Marfan  syndrome   and   related
conditions,  the  aorta is prone to enlarge and 250 times more likely to
tear or rupture than in the general population, which can  cause  sudden
early death, making early diagnosis and treatment critical; and

  WHEREAS,  One  in  5,000  to  one  in 10,000 people in the U.S. have
Marfan  syndrome,  but  experts  estimate  that  about  half  of   these
individuals are not yet diagnosed; and

  WHEREAS,  The  Marfan  Foundation's  mission  is  to  save lives and
improve the quality of life for people living with Marfan  syndrome  and
related   conditions  while  building  community  by  funding  research,
education, and support; and

  WHEREAS, The Marfan Foundation convenes  experts  and  educates  the
healthcare   community   to  foster  medical  advances,  increase  early
diagnosis, medical monitoring and life-saving treatment, while providing
unwavering support to people living with Marfan syndrome and their loved
ones, and informing the general public about the signs and  symptoms  of
Marfan syndrome; and

  WHEREAS,   In   recognition   of   the   financial,   physical,  and
psychological impact of  Marfan  syndrome,  it  is  incumbent  upon  the
citizens  of  the  State  of New York to support individuals living with
Marfan syndrome and related conditions, and to advocate for  life-saving
treatments and research; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize the
tireless community members, advocates and healthcare providers who spend
so much of their time and resources working to ensure optimal quality of
life and longevity for those living with  Marfan  syndrome  and  related
conditions; now, therefore, be it

  RESOLVED,  That  this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim February 2025,  as  Marfan
Syndrome 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 Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of  New
York.