PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Jerrica Thurman, Director, Communications, jerrica@amputee-coalition.org
The Amputee Coalition kicks off today its celebration of National Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month (LLLDAM), and thanks all governors who proclaimed the month in their state. For over 10 years, the annual celebration has raised awareness about the limb loss and limb difference community, and has fostered ways to ensure equitable medical access, care, and coverage for these individuals with the help of elected officials.
“We value the support of our Congressional champions and regularly engage our advocacy networks to help improve the lives of people with limb loss or limb difference nationwide. Our awareness month in April provides the opportunity to elevate the voices of people with lived experiences,” said Mary Richards, Amputee Coalition’s president and CEO.
As part of the national awareness campaign, community advocates contact state governors to request their recognition of April as Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month through formal proclamations. The Amputee Coalition deeply thanks these following governors for their 2022 proclamations to date and will continue to work with governors in other states:
- Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson
- Colorado Governor Jared Polis
- Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb
- Missouri Governor Mike Parson
- Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts
- Ohio Governor Mike DeWine
- Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf
- Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin
- Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers
“We are grateful to these governors for recognizing the limb loss and limb difference community. We strive daily to advocate for the needs of our community, and we appreciate these governors’ efforts to raise awareness for the needs of Americans living with limb loss and limb difference,” said Zachary Hearn, Amputee Coalition’s Director of Government Relations. “We also thank the lead advocates who petitioned their governor’s office.”
Every day, more than 500 people in the U.S. lose a limb, and it is estimated that, by 2050, the number of people living with limb loss will nearly double. There are over 2.1 million Americans currently living with limb loss or limb difference, and another 28 million are at risk for amputation. Limb loss affects people of all ages, income levels, and backgrounds.
In celebration of Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month in April, the Amputee Coalition has many advocacy efforts underway. Advocates and federal lawmakers are working to implement the Triple A Study Act, as well as advance and fund the National Limb Loss Resource Center. As part of its national efforts to grow a vibrant network of advocates, the organization will present the 2022 Advocacy Forum. The Forum activities will be offered as three, one-hour events that will address a new online lead advocacy training, grassroots advocacy program, and diabetes-related amputation prevention.
Learn more about Limb Loss and Limb Difference Awareness Month by visiting the Amputee Coalition’s website. Follow the month-long activities on social media using #LLAM, #LLLDAM, #WeTHRIVE, and #NoAmputeeAlone, and visit the THRIVE blog.
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Amputee Coalition: The Leading Voice on Limb Loss and Limb Difference
The Amputee Coalition is the only national nonprofit that serves all individuals who experience limb loss or limb difference. We are dedicated to ensuring that no one faces limb loss alone. Our mission is to reach out and empower people affected by limb loss to achieve their full potential through support, education, advocacy, and prevention. We work to provide vital resources to people with limb loss and limb difference, as well as their families and caregivers. With these resources, they can recover, readjust, and live the life they most want to live. Learn more at www.amputee-coalition.org.