HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 22

53rd legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - first session, 2017

INTRODUCED BY

Debbie A. Rodella

A JOINT MEMORIAL

DECLARING MARCH 18, 2017 "TERESA MUFFOLETTO BRAIN ANEURYSM AWARENESS DAY" IN THE LEGISLATURE.

     WHEREAS, a brain aneurysm is an abnormal saccular or fusiform bulging of an artery in the brain; and

     WHEREAS, an estimated one out of every fifty people in the United States has a brain aneurysm; and

     WHEREAS, brain aneurysms are most likely to occur in people between the ages of thirty-five and sixty, and there are typically no warning signs; and

     WHEREAS, brain aneurysms are more likely to occur in women than in men by a three-to-two ratio; and

     WHEREAS, various risk factors can contribute to the formation of a brain aneurysm, including smoking, hypertension and a family history of brain aneurysms; and

     WHEREAS, an unruptured brain aneurysm can lead to double vision, vision loss, loss of sensation, weakness, loss of balance and speech problems; and

     WHEREAS, a brain aneurysm is often discovered when it ruptures and causes a subarachnoid hemorrhage, which can lead to brain damage, hydrocephalus, stroke and death; and

     WHEREAS, each year, more than thirty thousand people in the United States suffer from ruptured brain aneurysms, and forty percent of these people die as a result; and

     WHEREAS, a number of advancements have been made in recent years regarding the detection of aneurysms, including the computerized tomography (CT) scan, the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan and the cerebral arteriogram, and early detection can save lives; and

     WHEREAS, various research studies are currently being conducted in the United States to better understand, prevent and treat brain aneurysms; and

     WHEREAS, Teresa Muffoletto resided in Ojo Caliente, New Mexico, and was a registered nurse in northern New Mexico who helped her patients beyond her duties and truly loved helping others; and

     WHEREAS, on February 22, 2016, she had a stroke from a ruptured brain aneurysm and fought a hard battle through recovery; and

     WHEREAS, despite her tough fight and miraculous recovery, she had complications on March 18, 2016, and she died on March 19, 2016; and

     WHEREAS, "Teresa Muffoletto Brain Aneurysm Awareness Day" will increase public awareness of brain aneurysms, acknowledge the need for more research funding and educate the public on what to look for when someone suffers a brain aneurysm rupture;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that March 18, 2017 be proclaimed "Teresa Muffoletto Brain Aneurysm Awareness Day" at the legislature; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the governor be requested to designate September 2017 as "Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month" in New Mexico; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the legislature urge the president of the United States and members of congress to enact legislation to provide additional funding for research related to and prevention of brain aneurysm ruptures; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be transmitted to the governor; the brain aneurysm foundation; the interim legislative health and human services committee; the family of Teresa Muffoletto, including daughters Melissa Valdez, Stephanie Cassady and Erin Muffoletto Baca; the New Mexico congressional delegation; and the president of the United States.

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