Each day 507 people lose a limb, largely to vascular-related diseases, and 60% 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,” Kendra Calhoun, Amputee Coalition president and chief executive officer, stated in a press release. “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,” Calhoun said. “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.
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.
