The Amputee Coalition of America Reaches Out to Amputee Survivors of the Haiti Earthquake


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On, January 12, 2010, a major earthquake struck southern Haiti, inflicting massive injuries on people and infrastructure. This unprecedented event has led the Amputee Coalition to take action to help the amputee victims in Haiti. From initial fittings and supply of prosthetics to ongoing adjustments, repairs and replacements, the demand for artificial limbs will be intense, expensive – and long-lasting, said Pat Chelf, a board member for the Amputee Coalition of America, in a recent MSNBC interview.

Currently, the focus is on saving lives. However, in the coming weeks, the focus for amputation will begin to shift to:

The Amputee Coalition has developed the Haiti Relief Action Center as a means of providing easy accessibility for people seeking information about how to help amputees in Haiti and about relief efforts specifically targeting amputees in Haiti. The Amputee Coalition is also seeking support for our Amputee Coalition Haiti Relief Action Fund, which will help us translate our specialized limb-loss information for use in Haiti, help us create public service announcements about infection control to prevent amputation in Haiti, and to develop specialized recovery and readjustment programs to help Haiti’s amputees learn to live with limb loss.

By drawing on our wealth of educational resources and support networks, and by partnering with allied organizations who are already on the ground in Haiti, the Amputee Coalition of America will be able to raise awareness about limb loss and raise critical funds for the second, third and fourth stages of this crisis.

Of course, we can only do this with your help.

The Amputee Coalition of America thanks and applauds the dedicated volunteers who are in Haiti helping amputees and their families survive this disaster of epic proportions.This includes the many physicians and nurses who are working around the clock in Haiti to save lives and care for the earthquake victims – often working in makeshift hospitals. We also applaud the many prosthetists and device manufacturers who are providing much-needed services and products to assist in Haiti.

Through collective efforts and support from people across the country, we will be able to positively impact the care and recovery of amputees in Haiti.

Photos of victims of Haiti earthquake

U.S. Amputee Facts

  • 2 million people in the U.S. living with limb loss
  • 185,000 amputations annually/507 amputations daily
  • Limb loss expected to almost double by 2050
  • Primary causes: diabetes, vascular disease, cancer, trauma, congenital limb difference
  • 42% are 65+ years old
  • 65% are male
  • 42% are non-white
  • Majority live independently
  • Most wear a prosthesis daily

U.S. Statistics and Epidemiology

African Americans, Diabetes and Limb Loss. Use this Fact Sheet to learn about the diabetes incidence rates and impact, and the amputation rates in the African American community.

Alaska Natives/Native Americans, Diabetes and Limb Loss. Learn about diabetes incidence rates and impact, and amputation rates for Native American people and Alaska Natives.

Amputation Statistics By Cause: Limb Loss in the United States. Statistical information related to amputation and the various reasons that a person would have to undergo an amputation.

Diabetes and Lower-Extremity Amputations. Statistical information is provided related to lower-extremity amputations due to diabetes.

Hispanics/Latinos, Diabetes and Limb Loss. Learn about diabetes incidence rates, its impact, and amputation rates for Hispanic/Latino Americans. Also available in Spanish

Limb Loss in the United States. Limb loss affects a variety of people in the United States and around the world and includes people of every race, ethnicity and background without regard to geographic location, occupation or economic level.

Minorities, Diabetes and Limb Loss. Learn about diabetes incidence rates and impact and amputation rates for African Americans, Native American and Alaskan Natives, and Hispanic/Latino Americans. This will be useful to educate at-risk individuals about the importance of managing and preventing diabetes. Also available in Spanish

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) and Limb Loss. Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a form of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries in which fatty substances build up inside the artery walls over time and create an obstruction that restricts proper blood flow. It can result in blockages in arteries of the brain, arms, kidneys, and legs. Diabetes is a major cause of PAD. This fact sheet looks at frequency, risks and prevention of PAD. Also available in Spanish, Easy Read and Spanish Easy Read

Preventing Further Limb Loss Among People with Diabetes. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower-extremity amputations (LEAs) in the United States. Modification of certain risk factors by patients and health professionals may reduce the risk for amputation and thus decrease the human and dollar costs that accompany limb loss in this prevalent chronic disease. Also available in Spanish, Easy Read and Spanish Easy Read

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