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ACA News: National Limb Loss Awareness Month

BOC is pleased to share ACA’s recent news release.  We are excited to support the Amputee Coalition’s Paddy Rossbach Youth Camp by funding individual children and as a Cobblestone level sponsor of the camp.  


Contact: 
Melanie Staten, Public Affairs ManagerFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

888/267-5669, ext. 8144
amputee-coalition.org
press@amputee-coalition.org
 

National Limb Loss Awareness Month
Raises THE Question: Are you at Risk?
Get Your Limb Loss Risk Assessment at 
amputee-coalition.org 

Knoxville, TN, March 15, 2011 – Each day 507 people lose a limb, largely to vascular-related diseases, and 60 percent are preventable. The Amputee Coalition, a national nonprofit based in Knoxville, Tennessee, is on a mission to increase awareness about limb loss prevention and about those living with limb loss.

“Limb loss is not uncommon and, sadly, becoming less uncommon every day,” said Kendra Calhoun, Amputee Coalition president and CEO. “More than 2 million Americans live with limb loss and that number grows by 185,000 each year. Our goals for Limb Loss Awareness Month are to heighten public awareness about limb loss and increase people’s understanding of prevention – especially those most at risk.” The Amputee Coalition is sponsoring a nationwide awareness campaign with April as Limb Loss Awareness Month and offering an online risk assessment for limb loss.

“Many people are unaware of the causes of amputation and often see limb loss in just a few categories: the wounded warrior or the accomplished athlete,” added Calhoun. “The fact is, limb loss affects every generation, from young to old and people from all walks of life. Those at greatest risk are people who have diabetes or a vascular impairment such as peripheral arterial disease. Cancer is also a cause of limb loss, but traumatic limb loss can happen to anyone – from lawnmower and farm equipment accidents to motorcycle and car accidents.”

During the month of April across the United States, amputee support groups, veterans, prosthetists, rehabilitation centers and those with limb loss will be participating in a number of activities in their local areas to raise awareness.


Statistics

  • The main causes of limb loss are vascular disease (54 percent), trauma (45 percent) and cancer (less than 2 percent).
  • 60 percent of limb loss is preventable.
  • Diabetes and vascular disease are the leading causes of limb loss.
  • In 2008, hospital charges associated with having a limb amputated totaled more than $7.2 billion in healthcare costs.
  • Nearly 60 percent of the amputation procedures performed in 2008 were paid for by Medicaid and Medicare, totaling more than $5.2 billion in healthcare costs.
  • 600 children lose a limb due to lawnmower accidents each year.
  • African Americans are four times more likely to lose a limb than non-Hispanic white persons.
  • 75 percent of pediatric amputations are due to trauma.

Limb Loss Awareness Month designates a specific time to:

  • Provide support for individuals within the limb loss community
  • Raise public awareness about limb loss education; provide education and prevention information to both the limb loss community and the rest of the population
  • Provide an opportunity for individuals to discuss quality of life and other issues they face with the public, legislators and the media
  • Recognize the contributions of military veteran amputees.

As part of Limb Loss Awareness Month, the Amputee Coalition urges people to go to the Limb Loss Awareness Month Web site to take the Limb Loss Risk Test. Learn your probability for limb loss by taking this quick and easy online test.

To learn how your organization can get involved in your local area’s Limb Loss Awareness Month activities in April, contact Kim Henshaw, Support Group Coordinator at khenshaw@amputee-coalition.org.

About the Amputee Coalition

The Amputee Coalition is the national nonprofit organization serving more than 2 million people with limb loss and more than 28 million people at risk for amputation. This year, the Amputee Coalition is proudly celebrating 25 years of service.

For more information: amputee-coalition.org or call 888/267-5669.  

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