Res 0630-2026

Res. No. 630 ..Title Resolution recognizing the month of October annually as Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Diseases Awareness Month in the City of New York ..Body By Council Member Morano Whereas, Mast cells, a type of white blood cells, are part of the body’s immune system, protecting the body from viruses, bacteria, parasites, and toxins, as defined by the Cleveland Clinic; and Whereas, Mast cell activation (MCA) is the release of chemicals (mediators) causing a range of symptoms, from localized allergic reactions such as hives and sneezing, or systemic reactions, such as anaphylaxis; and Whereas, Mast cell activation disorder (MCAD) is an umbrella term used to describe a group of disorders where improper MCA occurs, according to the Immune Deficiency Foundation; and Whereas, Mastocytosis is a rare MCAD where the body produces too many mast cells, leading to unusually intense allergic reactions that can be life threatening, according to the Cleveland Clinic; and Whereas, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) is a rare MCAD where the body produces too many mast cell mediators leading to repeated, severe episodes resembling allergic symptoms without a known trigger, as stated by the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology; and Whereas, People with MCAS often go undiagnosed because no single test can confirm the condition, resulting in substantial delays in diagnosis and treatment, as explained by an editorial published in 2024 by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice; and Whereas, According to Mayo Clinic Laboratories, it takes on average 30 years to diagnose MCAS from the time symptoms first arise; and Whereas, Females are at an increased risk of developing a mast cell associated disease, as stated by a 2022 journal article in Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Biology; and Whereas, A local Staten Island resident, experienced her first MCAS flare at age 26, when hives became anaphylactic shock, and she began seeking treatment from the borough’s top doctors for three years before receiving a correct diagnosis, according to an article published by the Staten Island Advance in July 2026; and Whereas, Alexandria Fiorenza Vale, author of the book, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome Cannot Break Me, shares her stress and frustration in getting diagnosed with MCAS, and eventually serving as a support group leader with The Mast Cell Disease Society while raising awareness and offering hope to patients affected by invisible illnesses; and Whereas, Increased awareness and understanding of MCAS may contribute to improvements in diagnosis, treatment, and patient outcomes, according to an article published in 2024 by the World Journal of Clinical Pediatrics; and Whereas, In 2018, 23 organizations from 21 countries formed the Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Diseases International Committee, which recognizes October 20 annually as International Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Diseases Awareness Day; and Whereas, October 20 is proclaimed as Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Diseases Awareness Day in the State of Vermont, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania; and Whereas, Designating October as Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Diseases Awareness Month in the City of New York would encourage public education about mast cell diseases, increase awareness of the disease and challenges in its diagnosis, and support patients and caregivers; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York recognizes October annually as Mastocytosis and Mast Cell Diseases Awareness Month in the City of New York. AD LS #25747 8/26/2026 1:56 PM