Senate Resolution No. 3182
BY: Senator AKSHAR
MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
September 2020, as Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness
Month in the State of New York
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize
official months that are set aside to increase awareness of serious
illnesses that affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its
long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2020, as
Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month in the State of New York; and
WHEREAS, Pulmonary Fibrosis is a disease of the lungs which occurs
when lung tissue becomes damaged and scarred; when the tissue around the
air sacs in the lungs thickens, it is more difficult for oxygen to pass
into the bloodstream causing those with pulmonary fibrosis to become
progressively more short of breath; and
WHEREAS, Scarring associated with pulmonary fibrosis can be caused
by many factors making it difficult for doctors to pinpoint the specific
cause of the problem, and in most cases the cause is never found; when a
definite cause cannot be found, the condition is termed Idiopathic
Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF); and
WHEREAS, The symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis vary from person to
person and include shortness of breath, a dry cough, fatigue, weight
loss, and aching muscles and joints; and
WHEREAS, A lack of clinical understanding of IPF often leads to
misdiagnosis, and it is estimated more than 50 percent of IPF patients
may be initially misdiagnosed delaying treatment and the ability to
perform adequate clinical trials; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated approximately 130,000 Americans have IPF
although there are published estimates suggesting the number may be as
high as 200,000; and
WHEREAS, IPF is found in equal proportions in urban and rural
environments but affects more men than women, the majority of whom are
50 years of age or older; and
WHEREAS, The average life expectancy from the diagnosis of the IPF
is just 2.8 years, and as many as 80 percent of IPF patients die within
five years of diagnosis; and
WHEREAS, Pulmonary fibrosis takes the lives of 40,000 or more
individuals in the United States each year, approximately one individual
every 13 minutes; and
WHEREAS, Researchers have several theories on the causes of IPF
including: viruses; exposure to tobacco smoke; airborne toxins in the
workplace such as silica dust, asbestos fibers, grain dust, bird and
animal droppings; certain lung diseases; and even some types of medical
treatments; since IPF often runs in families, heredity is also believed
to play a role; and
WHEREAS, The lung scarring that occurs in pulmonary fibrosis cannot
be reversed and no current treatment has proved effective in stopping
the progression of the disease although some treatments may improve
symptoms temporarily or slow the disease's progress; and
WHEREAS, Lung transplantation may be the option of last resort for
patients with severe IPF; and
WHEREAS, As of July 2018, there are no confirmed biomarkers for
screening and testing for pulmonary fibrosis; and
WHEREAS, It is imperative there be greater public awareness of this
serious health condition, and more must be done to encourage research
and activity at the State, local and national levels to support the
patients as well as their families; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, This this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 2020, as
Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month in the State of New York; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to continue to
support more robust and accelerated research to develop more effective
treatments for pulmonary fibrosis and to ultimately find a cure for the
disease; recognize the courage and contributions of individuals with
pulmonary fibrosis who participate in vital clinical trials to advance
the knowledge of the disease; and commend the dedication of
organizations, volunteers and researchers from the State of New York
working to improve the quality of life for individuals with pulmonary
fibrosis and the families of those individuals; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of
New York.