Assembly Resolution No. 874

BY: M. of A. Rules (Buttenschon)

MEMORIALIZING Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2022, as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The State of New York takes great pride in participating in certain months that are designated to raising awareness of important issues; and

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Kathy Hochul to proclaim September 2022, as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in the State of New York; and

WHEREAS, The mission of Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month is to increase public awareness of brain aneurysms and the signs and symptoms of this serious medical condition; and

WHEREAS, A brain aneurysm, also referred to as a cerebral aneurysm or intracranial aneurysm (IA), is a weak bulging spot on the wall of a brain artery; as the artery wall becomes gradually thinner from the dilation, the blood flow causes the weakened wall to swell outward, which may cause the aneurysm to rupture and allow blood to escape into the space around the brain; and

WHEREAS, Small un-ruptured aneurysms can often be monitored and do not always require surgery; and

WHEREAS, Large brain aneurysms are more dangerous and symptoms may include severe headache, dilated pupils, double vision, pain above and behind the eye, loss of consciousness, nausea, sudden weakness and numbness and/or difficulty speaking; all of these mentioned symptoms are cause for careful evaluation by a physician; and

WHEREAS, Risk factors for aneurysm rupture include smoking, high blood pressure, and a family or personal history of a ruptured aneurysm; and

WHEREAS, Over the years, the medical treatment of brain aneurysms has advanced to be more effective and less invasive for patients; treatment or observation is often used for an aneurysm that has not ruptured, however, once an aneurysm has ruptured, the options are either open surgery or an endovascular approach; and

WHEREAS, Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month was first established by the Brain Aneurysm Foundation to help reduce aneurysm rupture by raising awareness of the signs, symptoms and the risk factors associated with brain aneurysms; it is also a time to encourage individuals to make an appointment to be screened if they have a family history of aneurysm; 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 September 2022, as Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month in the State of New York, and to urge all New Yorkers to educate themselves about the signs and symptoms and the prevention and treatment of brain aneurysms; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a copy of this Legislative Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Kathy Hochul, Governor of the State of New York.