5 October 2009
NATIONAL AMPUTEE AWARENESS WEEK
Senator Mitch Fifield, the Coalition’s spokesman for Disabilities, today welcomed the start of National Amputee Awareness Week, 4-11 October.
Amputee Awareness Week seeks to remind Australians who have had an amputation of the support that is available, and to highlight the causes of amputation.
In Australia, the primary cause of amputation is diabetes, which leads to 3,000 procedures performed each year. With 3.2 million Australians estimated to have diabetes, and a 15 per cent increased chance of amputation with diabetes, those numbers are likely to grow.
Other causes are peripheral vascular disease, cancer, trauma, and infection.
Limbs 4 Life is the peak representative body for amputees in Australia and proves support for individuals who undergo an amputation. Limbs 4 Life assists amputees by empowering them with information, assisting them to access programs and resources which support their long-term recovery.
For more information, vist: http://www.limbs4life.com/index.php