ATLANTA (August 2, 2013) – Sen. Renee Unterman (R- Buford), chairwoman of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, held a press conference today to announce the month of September as Thrombosis Awareness Month. During the 2013 Legislative Session, Sen. Unterman sponsored Senate Resolution 133 to make this month a reality.
“My own personal history with surviving a blood clot inspired me to join with organizations such as the North American Thrombosis Forum to organize Georgia’s first advocacy group for Deep Vein Thrombosis,” said Sen. Unterman. “By raising public awareness and educating Georgians about the warning signs of Deep Vein Thrombosis and Pulmonary Embolism, it is my hope that the number of these life-threatening diseases will be drastically reduced.”
During the press conference, Sen. Unterman was joined by members of the medical community, including the North American Thrombosis Forum (NATF), to raise public awareness and discuss solutions to minimize the frequency of deep vein thrombosis and other related diseases.
Each year, an estimated 2 million Americans are affected by Deep Vein Thrombosis, or DVT, a blood clot in the leg. Pulmonary Embolism, a serious and potentially fatal complication of DVT, results in approximately 300,000 deaths per year in the U.S. – more than AIDS and breast cancer combined, according to NATF.
Deep Vein Thrombosis can strike at any age and present warning signs such as swelling, redness of the skin, pain or tenderness in the afflicted area. Some of the major risk factors associated with this disease may include:
- Age/Heredity
- Immobilization
- Surgery
- Cancer
- Pregnancy
“The State of Georgia and the North American Thrombosis Forum would like to thank Sen. Renee Unterman for sponsoring Senate Resolution 133 and working to make September Thrombosis Awareness Month a reality in Georgia,” said Atul Laddu, MD, PhD, a local volunteer working for the North American Thrombosis Forum.
The North American Thrombosis Forum is a non-profit advocacy organization dedicated to thrombosis prevention, diagnosis and treatment. As part of its primary areas of focus, the NATF works to provide educational tools and prevention resources, promote public policy and conduct clinical research to improve diagnosis and therapy outcomes.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
August 2, 2013
For Information Contact:
Jennifer Yarber, Interim Director
Shawna Mercer, Sr. Communications Specialist
Shawna.Mercer@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028