Limb Loss Awareness Month

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
A Proclamation
His Excellency Governor Deval L. Patrick

Whereas There are approximately 2 million Americans living with limb loss/difference; and

Whereas Over 500 people lose a limb each day in the United States; and

Whereas 1,000 babies are born each year in the United States with congenital limb difference; and

Whereas Studies show 75 percent of limb loss is preventable; and

Whereas Diabetes and peripheral vascular disease are the leading causes of limb loss; and

Whereas The Amputee Coalition of America provides education, outreach, advocacy, and a National Limb Loss Information Center for the benefit of persons with limb loss/ difference, their families, and health care   
providers; and

Whereas Through public awareness, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts seeks to minimize the devastating effects of limb loss among all Massachusetts citizens,

Now, Therefore, I, Deval L. Patrick, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, do hereby proclaim April 2012 to be,

Limb Loss Awareness Month

And urge all the citizens of the Commonwealth to take cognizance of this event and participate fittingly in its observance.

Given at the Executive Chamber in Boston, this ninth day of March, in the year two thousand and twelve, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the two hundred and thirty-fifth.

By His Excellency                 

Deval L. Patrick                    
Governor of the Commonwealth         

William Francis Galvin           
Secretary of the Commonwealth 

God Save the Commonwealth of Massachusetts