[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 17 (Wednesday, February 16, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S1560-S1561]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   SENATE RESOLUTION 56--DESIGNATING THE MONTH OF MARCH AS DEEP-VEIN 
    THROMBOSIS AWARENESS MONTH, IN MEMORY OF JOURNALIST DAVID BLOOM

  Mr. SPECTER submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
the Committee on the Judiciary:

                               S. Res. 56

       Whereas deep-vein thrombosis is a condition that occurs 
     when a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, which may 
     result in a fatal pulmonary embolism;
       Whereas deep-vein thrombosis is a serious but preventable 
     medical condition;
       Whereas deep-vein thrombosis occurs in approximately 
     2,000,000 Americans every year;
       Whereas fatal pulmonary embolism causes more deaths each 
     year than breast cancer and AIDS combined;
       Wherease complications from deep-vein thrombosis take up to 
     200,000 American lives each year;
       Whereas fatal pulmonary embolism may be the most common 
     preventable cause of hospital death in the United States;
       Whereas the risk factors for deep-vein thrombosis include 
     cancer and certain heart or respiratory diseases;
       Whereas pulmonary embolism is the leading cause of maternal 
     death associated with childbirth;
       Whereas, according to a survey conducted by the American 
     Public Health Association, 74 percent of Americans are 
     unaware of deep-vein thrombosis;
       Whereas National Broadcasting Company correspondent David 
     Bloom died of a fatal pulmonary embolism while covering the 
     war in Iraq;
       Whereas Melanie Bloom, widow of David Bloom, and more than 
     35 members of the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis 
     are working to raise awareness of this silent killer; and
       Whereas the establishment of March as Deep-Vein Thrombosis 
     Awareness Month in honor of David Bloom would raise public 
     awareness about this life-threatening but preventable 
     condition: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates the month of March as ``Deep-Vein Thrombosis 
     Awareness Month'';
       (2) honors the memory of David Bloom; and
       (3) recognizes the importance of raising awareness of deep-
     vein thrombosis.

  Mr. SPECTER. Mr. President, I have sought recognition today to submit 
a resolution to designate March 2005, as Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness 
Month.
  Deep vein thrombosis, DVT, affects more than two million Americans 
each year, according to the American Heart Association. DVT is a 
condition that occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the large 
veins, usually in the lower limbs. These blood clots can grow in size, 
break loose, travel through the bloodstream and obstruct a pulmonary 
artery, resulting in a pulmonary embolism, PE, a sudden blockage of an 
artery in the lung, which can cause sudden death. According to the 
American Heart Association, up to 2 million Americans are affected 
annually by DVT. Up to 200,000 people die as a result of PE, 98 percent 
of which are complications brought on by DVT.
  Deep vein thrombosis may best be known for its effects on those who 
fly for long periods of time. Sitting for many hours without getting up 
and moving around makes blood flow in the legs slow down, increasing 
the tendency for blood to clump and form blood clots. However, this 
cause of DVT accounts for only a small percentage of the DVT cases in 
the United States. DVT can strike anyone, anywhere. Americans who have 
or have had cancer or certain heart or respiratory diseases may be at 
increased risk for DVT. Americans are also at risk if they are 
overweight, elderly, bed-ridden, or have had a stroke.
  Unfortunately, 74 percent of Americans have little or no awareness of 
DVT, according to a national survey sponsored by the American Public 
Health Association. DVT and its complications also take a toll on our 
Nation's hospital systems, costing approximately $860 million annually.
  Among DVT's many victims was NBC News correspondent David Bloom. In 
March and April 2003, David, only 39 years old, was embedded with the 
U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division covering the war in Iraq. On April 6, 
2003, after being seated in a cramped Army vehicle for many hours, 
David was stricken with DVT. The blood clot had traveled to his lungs 
and proved fatal.

[[Page S1561]]

  Like David Bloom, many of us may be at risk for DVT and not know it. 
Some risk factors include: acute medical illness such as cancer, 
certain heart or respiratory diseases, prior DVT, increasing age, 
obesity, major orthopedic surgery, pregnancy, restricted mobility and 
paralysis. DVT can be prevented through maintaining a healthy 
lifestyle, including a fitness program and a healthy diet. Further, 
during periods of prolonged immobility such as airplane travel, stretch 
your legs as often as possible.
  As Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education 
Appropriations Subcommittee, I led the effort to double funding for the 
National Institutes of Health (NIH) over 5 years. Funding for the NIH 
has increased from $11.3 billion in fiscal year 1995 to $28.5 billion 
in fiscal year 2005. In 2004, the NIH, through the National Heart, 
Lung, and Blood Institute, provided $6.1 million for DVT and PE 
research. The NIH is also advancing research of this condition through 
a recently formed international partnership working to prevent and 
control blood clots, and improve therapies for conditions such as heart 
attacks, strokes, deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolisms.
  Together with Melanie Bloom, widow of David Bloom, and the more than 
35 leading health organizations in the Coalition to Prevent DVT, we are 
working to help raise awareness of this condition. To increase public 
awareness of this serious, yet preventable condition, I urge my 
colleagues to support this legislation to designate March 2005 as Deep 
Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month in honor of David Bloom's memory.

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