Res. No. 275
Resolution urging the New York State Legislature to enact Senate Bill 2871-A and Assembly Bill 3338-A, which would amend the Public Health Law in relation to providing a program to promote leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research, education and treatment, and establishing the leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research, education, and treatment fund
By Council Members Rivera, Fidler, Liu, Nelson and Seabrook
Whereas, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma are cancers of the blood and bone marrow; and
Whereas, According to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, more than 198,000 Americans are living with leukemia, more than 493,000 Americans are living with lymphoma, and more than 15,000 Americans are living with myeloma; and
Whereas, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society statistics also indicate that, in 2005, 34,810 new cases of leukemia were diagnosed in the United States; and
Whereas, According to the American Cancer Society, one in five deaths in the United States are caused by cancer, with blood and bone marrow cancers estimated to have been responsible for more than 54,000 deaths in the United States in 2005; and
Whereas, While scientists do not definitively know what causes blood and bone marrow cancers, according to the American Cancer Society, exposure to certain chemicals and forms of radiation may be risk factors; and
Whereas, Education and public awareness campaigns, as well as support for research, are vital components of a sound public health policy; and
Whereas, Public education efforts have proven to be successful in both reducing the rates of cancer and in reducing mortality rates; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 2871-A and Assembly Bill 3338-A would help combat blood and bone marrow cancers by creating an office within the New York State Health Department designed specifically to coordinate the State’s response to the occurrence of such cancers, and to coordinate programs and campaigns aimed at increasing public awareness about such diseases, and their causes and treatments; and
Whereas, Senate Bill 2871-A and Assembly Bill 3338-A would also create a dedicated leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research, education, and treatment fund that would provide much needed support for important research into the cause and treatment of blood and bone marrow cancers; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York urges the New York State Legislature to enact Senate Bill 2871-A and Assembly Bill 3338-A, which would amend the Public Health Law in relation to providing a program to promote leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research, education and treatment, and establishing the leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma research, education, and treatment fund.
LS# 801
4/14/06
JN