Bill Text: NY K00324 | 2023-2024 | General Assembly | Introduced
Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 7, 2023, as Ostomy Awareness Day in the State of New York
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 17-11)
Status: (Passed) 2023-04-24 - adopted [K00324 Detail]
Download: New_York-2023-K00324-Introduced.html
Assembly Resolution No. 324 BY: M. of A. Wallace MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 7, 2023, as Ostomy Awareness Day in the State of New York WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in recognizing official months established to increase awareness of serious issues that affect the lives of all New Yorkers; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body is justly proud to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 7, 2023, as Ostomy Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observation of World Ostomy Awareness Day; and WHEREAS, Ostomy Awareness Day is held annually on the first Saturday of October, which coincides with World Ostomy Awareness Day, a health observance where the world unites every three years to raise ostomy awareness; and WHEREAS, Sponsored by the International Ostomy Association, World Ostomy Awareness Day is meant to raise awareness and increase both state and national visibility of those living with ostomies; in the United States, the United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc. (UOAA), is the leading organization proactively advocating on behalf of the ostomy community; and WHEREAS, An ostomy is a type of surgery that creates an opening (stoma) in the abdomen which allows for the removal of bodily waste when a person has lost the normal function of digestive or urinary systems due to birth defects, colorectal cancer, bladder cancer, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and other medical conditions; and WHEREAS, An ostomy is also necessary in cases of severe abdominal or pelvic trauma resulting from accidents or injuries sustained during military service; and WHEREAS, The bodily waste passes through the stoma into an ostomy "pouch" on the outside of the body or in the case of continent diversion surgeries, an internal surgically created reservoir; and WHEREAS, Ostomy is a life-saving and life-restoring surgery; approximately 725,000 to 1 million Americans have an ostomy, with approximately 100,000 new ostomy procedures performed each year; and WHEREAS, Ostomy or continent diversion surgery can occur at any age and does not lower life expectancy; and WHEREAS, Largely through the efforts of UOA and its over 300 Affiliated Support Groups, Americans needing these surgeries are becoming more aware of the opportunities for education, mutual aid, advocacy and support which are such great benefit to them and their families; and WHEREAS, Ostomy Awareness Day was organized to ensure those who are living with an ostomy face no discrimination and are accepted as normal, healthy individuals; it is imperative that there be greater awareness of this serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity at local, State and National levels; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 7, 2023, as Ostomy Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further RESOLVED, That copies of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York, and to United Ostomy Associations of America, Inc.