NJ SJR102

Designates May 17 of each year as "Necrotizing Enterocolitis Awareness Day" in New Jersey, aligning with World NEC Awareness Day recognized by the NEC Society and other states

Necrotizing Enterocolitis (NEC) is an intestinal disease affecting approximately 1 in 1,000 premature infants and is the third most common cause of death in hospitalized infants

NEC accounts for approximately $5.8 billion in hospital expenses nationally each year, representing up to 20% of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit costs despite affecting only 2-5% of premature infants

In New Jersey, approximately 5 in every 100,000 infants die from NEC annually

Requests the Governor to issue an annual proclamation and calls upon public officials and citizens to observe the day with appropriate activities and programs