RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP NORMAN, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS, PINEDA-ISAAC, DIAZ AND HODGES:
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RESOLUTION BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF YONKERS PROCLAIMING AND RECOGNIZING THE MONTH OF NOVEMBER AS "EPILEPSY AWARENESS MONTH" THROUGHOUT THE CITY OF YONKERS.
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WHEREAS, epilepsy is a neurological disease characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures, as well as by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this condition; and
WHEREAS, epilepsy is a disorder of the brain that causes recurring seizures. A seizure is a disruption in the brain’s electrical activity that temporarily affects awareness, movement, or behavior. A person is said to have epilepsy if they experience two or more unprovoked seizures separated by at least 24 hours, or one seizure with a high risk of recurrence; and
WHEREAS, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 3.4 million Americans live with active epilepsy, including 3 million adults and 470,000 children, making it one of the most common neurological conditions in the United States; and
WHEREAS, there are about 1 in 26 people in the United States who will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime, and about 150,000 new cases are diagnosed each year; and
WHEREAS, seizures can occur in people of all ages and backgrounds, though they are more frequent among the very young and the elderly, and numbers can vary across racial, ethnic, and geographic populations; and
WHEREAS, understanding what a seizure looks like and knowing how to respond with proper first aid can save lives and reduce fear and stigma. Greater public awareness helps ensure that those living with epilepsy are treated with compassion, inclusion, and dignity; and
WHEREAS, seizures impact people's lives in many ways, including creating barriers to employment and education, transportation, and social participation which often lead to experiences of discrimination or isolation; from their peers; and
WHEREAS, epilepsy is the fourth most common neurological disorder, and while treatments can help many, about one-third of people with epilepsy have seizures that cannot be fully controlled with current medications or therapies; and
WHEREAS, the City of Yonkers is committed to supporting individuals and families living with epilepsy by promoting awareness, education, and inclusion across the community;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Yonkers City Council hereby proclaims the month of November 2026 as "Epilepsy Awareness Month" throughout the City of Yonkers.