Res. No. 891
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign Jaden's Law, which would provide for the creation and dissemination of information pertaining to bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation and registration.
By Council Members Arroyo, Dickens, Cabrera, Comrie, Dromm, Fidler, Gonzalez, James, Koslowitz, Lander, Mendez, Recchia, Rose, Van Bramer, Vann, Williams, Nelson, Barron, Gennaro and Koo
Whereas, Every year in the United States, 10,000 children and adults are in need of a matched donor for a bone marrow transplant or cord blood unit; and
Whereas, These transplants provide potentially life-saving treatment for those that suffer from leukemia, lymphoma, or a genetic metabolic or immune system disorder; and
Whereas, In 2009, it is estimated that 139,860 people will be diagnosed with leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, nearly 10 percent of all cancer diagnoses; and
Whereas, Every ten minutes a person dies of blood cancer, this year alone, leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma will account for 53,240 deaths in the United States; and
Whereas, Worldwide, there are more than 12 million registered donors of bone marrow and cord blood units; and
Whereas, Yet, only four out of 10 individuals who need a donation find a match and this figure is even lower for members of minority communities; and
Whereas, This was true for Jaden Hilton, as he lost his battle with leukemia at the age of three; and
Whereas, Jaden was unable to find a bone marrow match, none of his family members were suitable matches and there was not an adequate match on the National Marrow Donor Program registry; and
Whereas, Finding a match for Jaden was difficult as minorities are drastically underrepresented in the federal bone marrow donor registry; and
Whereas, To increase the number of minority donors and raise awareness about the importance of bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation, New York State Assembly Member Keith Wright introduced Jaden's Law; and
Whereas, A version of Jaden's Law has already been enacted in New Jersey, and other states including Illinois, Georgia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania are considering similar measures; and
Whereas, New York State Jaden's Law would require the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health to prepare an online brochure for physicians to share with their patients; and
Whereas, The brochure would inform patients about their option to become a bone marrow or peripheral blood stem cell donor, as well as, provide other important information about the procedure and the benefits of donation; and
Whereas, The legislation would also permit individuals to make bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donations to the New York State Donate Life Registry; and
Whereas, The bill seeks to make enrolling in the Donate Life Registry easier by including this option on both voter registration cards and driver license applications; and
Whereas, These efforts would increase awareness about the need for bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donors and encourage countless individuals to register; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign Jaden's Law, which would provide for the creation and dissemination of information pertaining to bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell donation and registration.
JM
LS # 1793
12/28/10