April 2011 will mark the first National Limb Loss Awareness Month. The Amputee Coalition’s goal is to raise awareness about living with limb loss and to reduce preventable limb loss through education, resources and support.

Limb Loss Awareness Month will also provide local community volunteers a month to celebrate the advances in limb loss care and the success stories of those affected in their communities. You too can get involved by volunteering your time.

Below you will find an overview of this Annual Event. We are proud of the many volunteers who have already begun this effort through support groups and committed individuals who know the power of support and knowledge. Please share your activities with us so we can inspire others to get involved and make a difference.

Facts About Limb Loss

• Today there are nearly 2 million people living with limb loss in the United States.
• Annually, 185,000 Americans lose a limb.
• There are 507 amputations daily.
• The number of people living with the loss of a limb will almost double by the year 2050 to 3.6 million.
• Primary factors contributing to the increase in limb loss are escalating rates of diabetes and peripheral vascular disease, as well as war events and now natural disasters.
• Over 60% of the amputations performed in the United States each year are preventable.
• Diabetics have a 10 times higher rate of losing a limb than people without diabetes.
• Populations with a high risk of losing limbs include Pacific Islanders, Hispanic/Latino, African American, Native American – some are more than 10 times higher than other ethnicities.

What Can You Do to Help?

We are reaching out to people affected by limb loss or limb difference and those who care for them to encourage community action and increased visibility of limb loss issues at a local level.

Overall Theme

The 2011 Limb Loss Awareness Month theme will be 507 amputations a day.

The Amputee Coalition will work with volunteers across the nation to help develop awareness events in their community. These events will increase the awareness of limb loss issues while providing needed resources for education for amputees and those at risk of amputation.

Activities include fund raisers, fitness and prevention events, community presentations, advocacy initiatives and youth programs that will give young amputees a head start on building awareness with schools and youth organizations in their area.

Fund raising activities and events in connection with Limb Loss Awareness Month will help support the Amputee Coalition Paddy Rossbach Summer Youth Camp. This 5-day traditional camp experience is brought to over 100 young people with limb loss or limb difference at no cost to their family.

Key Messages

• Limb loss is not uncommon.
• Limb loss does not have to limit your life.
• 60% of limb loss in America is preventable.
• The Amputee Coalition is THE leader in the limb loss community.

Get Involved!

Throughout the month of April, individuals, support groups, healthcare providers and their facilities are encouraged to get involved. Here are some ways you can become part of this inaugural month:

Share

Share your story with others in your community by reaching out to any local civic, school, religious, or other groups about your experience and the need for support and education and access to care for amputees. Your message could help save limbs of those at risk and provide a source of information and support to those in your area that have experienced limb loss. Most civic and community organizations welcome presentations about activities for their members and the local population.

Increase your impact by contacting your local media to set up a time to share information about National Limb Loss Awareness Month and ask them to cover your activities or events.

The Amputee Coalition will provide outreach materials, posters, media talking points, press releases and presentation tips to help show your passion and commitment to educating your community about limb loss issues and key messages about prevention.

Hold an event

Connect with your local support, church or civic group to organize an awareness event. Event ideas, guidelines for fund raising, limb loss education materials, marketing and press releases are available for groups or individuals who are interested in hosting a walk, biking event, read-a-thon or other awareness and/or fund raising events in their area. Our DIY (Do It Yourself) Fund Raising Kit is a great tool to keep it simple and keep it fun.

Learn

Are you at risk of losing a limb? Find out now by taking the Amputee Coalition Limb Loss Risk Assessment. This information could safe a limb or maybe your life. Take a step further and encourage your family, friends and co-workers to test their risk as well. This tool is free and provides you with information to change your lifestyle and help prevent limb loss and other chronic health issues. Did you know that 60% of amputations can be prevented through education and lifestyle changes for at risk individuals?

Spread the word

Let people know you are proud to be representing the amputee community by showing your support for diversity and equal access to care and public services through raising your voice to your representatives with the message of unity of our community.

The Amputee Coalition will provide you with templates for letters to your congressman, ways to get a grass roots campaign started in your state as well as connect you with those already volunteering their time to progress fair treatment of people with limb loss at the state and federal level.

Where to find more information, resources or help:

Visit our Web site for more information and to download materials or call toll-free 1-888-267-5669.