April is National Limb Loss Awareness Month

Manassas, VA, April 05, 2014 --(PR.com)-- Nearly 2 million Americans currently live with limb loss and that number is expected to double by 2050, mainly because of the rise in diabetes cases in the United States. Each day, more than 500 Americans lose a limb and many of these amputations could be prevented. Among those living with limb loss, the main causes are vascular disease; including diabetes and peripheral artery disease (PAD), trauma and cancer. As the national resource to the amputee and limb difference community, the Amputee Coalition is on a mission to increase awareness about limb loss prevention and those living with limb loss. Limb loss affects every generation, race, and all socioeconomic backgrounds. Statistics show that those at greatest risk are African Americans, those from Hispanic descent, Americans that have a vascular disease (diabetes, PAD) and smokers. In 2009, hospital costs associated with amputation totaled more than $8.3 billion. Nearly half of the individuals who have had an amputation due to vascular disease will die within 5 years. This statistic is higher than the 5 year mortality rates for breast cancer, colon cancer and prostate cancer.

Starting in 2011, the Amputee Coalition requested proclamations asking for both federal and state recognition of Limb Loss Awareness Month to be held annually in the month of April. In April 2012, President Barack Obama sent a letter to acknowledge his support of this initiative. This support has raised public awareness about limb loss in general, and has helped the Amputee Coalition persist in its mission in providing education and prevention information to the community and the public. The Amputee Coalition is proud to continue the observance of Limb Loss Awareness Month in April 2014. In the month of April, amputee support groups across the country are holding events to show their mettle and raise limb loss awareness by planning and holding walk/run/roll events in their communities to benefit the Coalition's mission to empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential. On Saturday, April 26 the Coalition invites any amputee who is comfortable showing their mettle to show their metal, by wearing their prosthesis in public and posting it on their Facebook page.

The Amputee Coalition maintains the most comprehensive list of limb loss/limb difference resources in the United States and is the leading national organization that works to ensure that amputees do not go through their journey alone. For more information about limb loss, please call 888/267-5669 or visit the Amputee Coalition Web site at www.amputee-coalition.org.