J 1088: Memorializing Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2025, as AVM Awareness Month in the State of New York

 Senate Resolution No. 1088 BY: Senator TEDISCO MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2025, as AVM 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 diseases 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 Kathy Hochul to proclaim October 2025, as AVM Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National AVM Awareness Month; and WHEREAS, Brain Arteriovenous Malformation (AVM) are abnormal connections between arteries and veins, usually in the brain or spine, that can be fatal if left undetected; and WHEREAS, Normally, arteries carry oxygen-rich blood away from the heart to the body's cells, organs, and tissues and veins return blood with less oxygen to the lungs and heart, but in an AVM, the absence of capillaries allows blood to pass directly from arteries to veins, missing tissue that needs oxygenated blood; and WHEREAS, In most cases, people with AVMs in the brain or spinal cord experience few, if any, significant symptoms, and in some cases, a weakened blood vessel may burst, spilling blood into the brain (hemorrhage) that can cause stroke and brain damage; and WHEREAS, Symptoms caused by AVMs can appear at any age, because the malformations tend to result from a slow buildup of neurological damage over time; they are most often noticed when people are in their 20s or older; and WHEREAS, An AVM is very rare and affects less than one percent of the population, or about 10 per 100,000 people, with an estimated 300,000 Americans affected by this condition, and a detection of 284 prospective AVM patients in New York according to a New York Islands AVM Study; and WHEREAS, The Joe Niekro Foundation (named after the legendary baseball player) has been steadfast in its commitment to aiding in the research and treatment of brain aneurysms, AVMs and hemorrhagic strokes; and WHEREAS, The Foundation's goal is to raise awareness about the risk factors, causes and treatments of these conditions, while helping support the advancement of neurological research; and WHEREAS, It is imperative that there be greater awareness of this serious health condition, and more must be done to increase activity at the 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 2025, as AVM Awareness Month 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 Brain Aneurysm, AVM, Stroke and Brain Trauma Support Groups of New York State.