File #: Res 1077-2007    Version: * Name: Declaring the first Saturday in May as “Childhood Stroke Awareness Day” in the City of New York.
Type: Resolution Status: Filed
Committee: Committee on Health
On agenda: 10/17/2007
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: Resolution declaring the first Saturday in May as “Childhood Stroke Awareness Day” in the City of New York.
Sponsors: Gale A. Brewer, Lewis A. Fidler, James F. Gennaro, Vincent J. Gentile, Sara M. Gonzalez, Letitia James, Michael C. Nelson, David I. Weprin
Council Member Sponsors: 8

Res. No. 1077

 

Resolution declaring the first Saturday in May as “Childhood Stroke Awareness Day” in the City of New York.

 

By Council Members Brewer, Fidler, Gennaro, Gentile, Gonzalez, James, Nelson and Weprin

 

                     Whereas, The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) defines stroke, also known as a cerebrovascular accident, as an event that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is suddenly interrupted or when a blood vessel in the brain bursts, spilling blood into the spaces surrounding brain cells; and

                     Whereas, NINDS indicates that brain cells die when they no longer receive oxygen and nutrients from the blood or there is sudden bleeding into or around the brain; and

                     Whereas, According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Pediatric Stroke Program, pediatric stroke affects 25 in 100,000 newborns and 12 in 100,000 children under 18 years of age and stroke is the sixth leading cause of death in children; and

                     Whereas, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Pediatric Stroke Program also identifies risk groups among children to include newborns; older children with sickle cell anemia, congenital heart defects, immune disorders or problems with blood clotting; and previously healthy children who are found to have hidden disorders, such as narrow blood vessels or a tendency to form blot clots easily; and

Whereas, According to the Pediatric Stroke Network, childhood stroke survivors can have a host of disabilities caused by their stroke, including Epilepsy Hemiplegia (a form of Cerebral Palsy), Hemiparesis, Hypotonia, Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy, speech and language difficulties, vision deficits and learning disabilities, and they may require speech therapy, occupational therapy, medications, special education, and orthotics; and                     Whereas, The Pediatric Stroke Network also indicates that early recognition and treatment during the first hours and days after a stroke is critical in optimizing long-term functional outcomes and minimizing reoccurrence risk; and

Whereas, Many children with stroke syndromes are misdiagnosed with more common conditions that mimic stroke, such as migraines, epilepsy or viral illnesses; and

Whereas, Advocates emphasize that awareness and continued medical research is needed so that the warning signs of stroke in children are recognized and promptly acted upon; and

Whereas, Many advocates also believe that medical professionals must make better use of the MRI to improve the odds of making a correct diagnosis, and that medical researchers must increase efforts to develop new stroke treatments for children; and

Whereas, This year, the United States Senate passed S. Res. 184, a resolution calling for May 5, 2007 to be designated as National Childhood Stroke Awareness Day, and urging support for programs, services, and advocacy organizations that work to enhance public awareness of childhood stroke; now, therefore, be it

                     Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York declares the first Saturday in May as “Childhood Stroke Awareness Day” in the City of New York.

 

 

                     

SO

LS #3654

9/18/07

12:33pm