Bill Text: NY K00270 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Commemorating the 25th Anniversary of Making Headway Foundation
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Passed) 2021-05-10 - adopted [K00270 Detail]
Download: New_York-2021-K00270-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 270 BY: M. of A. Burdick COMMEMORATING the 25th Anniversary of Making Headway Foundation WHEREAS, Organizations which serve the interests of the people of this Empire State merit the commendation of this Legislative Body; and WHEREAS, From time to time this Legislative Body takes note of certain extraordinary individuals and organizations it wishes to recognize for their valued contributions to the success and progress of society and publicly acknowledge their endeavors which have enhanced the basic humanity among us all; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 25th Anniversary of Making Headway Foundation; and WHEREAS, Making Headway Foundation was established in 1996 to provide "Care, Comfort, and a Cure" with a mission to provide passionate care for children and families impacted by a pediatric brain or spinal cord tumor, while funding medical research geared to better treatments and a cure; and WHEREAS, Pediatric brain and spinal cord tumors are the leading cause of cancer-related death among children and adolescents ages 0-19 years; over 4,500 new cases of childhood brain or spinal cord tumors are diagnosed in the United States every year; and WHEREAS, Additionally, more than 28,000 children and teenagers are currently living with the diagnosis of a primary brain or spinal cord tumor in the United States; and WHEREAS, Children's brain and spinal cord tumors are different from those in diagnosed adults; they require specific research and different treatments, and can lead to significant short-term and long-term mental and/or physical challenges; and WHEREAS, Making Headway Foundation was founded by Chappaqua residents Maya and Edward Manley who, as volunteers, have devoted 25 years of their lives to nurturing this vital organization's growth, and providing a wide range of free-of-charge holistic programs and services; and WHEREAS, Since its inception, Making Headway Foundation has widened its reach from a few families in 1996, to many thousands today, helping each family through unimaginably difficult times; and WHEREAS, Making Headway Foundation has raised and allocated over $26,600,000 to support medical research, quality-of-life programs, college scholarships, hospital care services, clinical trials, neuro-oncology fellowships, family events, emergency care, educational advocacy, bereavement services, public education, playroom improvements, free family and individual therapy, health and wellness, tissue banking, and research equipment; and WHEREAS, Making Headway Foundation's tireless support of research has led to critical discoveries in the areas of hypoxia proliferation of neuroblastoma, immunotherapy, medulloblastoma, sonic hedgehog pathway mutations, novel medications, epigenetic signatures in DIPG, pilocytic astrocytomas, and vulnerabilities of pediatric high-grade gliomas; and WHEREAS, Furthermore, this support of research also led to the establishment of the Preclinical Core at the New York University Langone Medical Center, the country's first laboratory where novel therapies can be tested on any subtype of pediatric brain tumor sample; and WHEREAS, Making Headway's Ongoing Care Team has provided families with over 11,500 hours of free, expert, psychological therapy to help them through their journey and over 8,000 hours of free, professional, educational advocacy services, ensuring that each child receives the school-based services and assistance they need to reach their academic potential; and WHEREAS, Making Headway Foundation has awarded over 100 college scholarships to survivors of a brain or spinal cord tumor; and WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commend Making Headway Foundation and its founders upon the occasion of its 25th Anniversary, and to express its appreciation for the many contributions they have made and for their unceasing dedication to helping children diagnosed with a brain or spinal cord tumor; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to Maya and Edward Manley, Making Headway Foundation.