[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 18 (Thursday, February 17, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Page S1607]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                        DVT AWARENESS RESOLUTION

  Mr. DORGAN. Mr. President, I am pleased to have joined with my 
colleague Senator Arlen Specter in submitting a resolution yesterday, 
S. Res. 56, that would designate March as ``Deep-Vein Thrombosis 
Awareness Month.''
  Many Americans are probably unfamiliar with deep-vein thrombosis, 
DVT, but it is a serious medical condition that occurs in approximately 
2 million Americans each year. Given that it is both a common and 
preventable condition, it is important that more of us know about this 
disease so we can take steps to stop it.
  Americans might be more commonly familiar with deep-vein thrombosis 
as the condition that can result from sitting in a small space, such as 
an airline seat, for a long period of time. In fact, this condition is 
sometimes called ``economy-class syndrome,'' and many airlines now 
encourage their passengers to get up and move around or otherwise 
exercise their extremities during cross-country or international 
flights in order to prevent it.
  DVT occurs when a blood clot forms in one of the large veins, usually 
in the legs, leading to either partially or completely blocked 
circulation. Too often, this blood clot breaks loose from the wall of 
the vein and moves to the lungs, where it is called a pulmonary 
embolism and can cause sudden death.
  Deep-vein thrombosis can happen to virtually anyone at any time. In 
fact, one of our Nation's finest journalists, NBC News correspondent 
David Bloom, died from a pulmonary embolism caused by DVT in April, 
2003, while covering the war in Iraq at the early age of 39. But while 
David Bloom is one of the more well-known victims of DVT, he is not 
alone. Up to 200,000 die each year from pulmonary embolisms caused by 
DVT.
  The resolution that Senator Specter and I submitted yesterday in 
honor of the memory of David Bloom is an important first step towards 
educating Americans about this potentially deadly condition. The 
resolution is supported by the Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein 
Thrombosis, which is made up of more than 30 health and medical groups. 
In addition, David Bloom's beloved wife Melanie has become an outspoken 
advocate for raising awareness about DVT.
  I look forward to working with Senator Specter, Melanie Bloom, the 
Coalition to Prevent Deep-Vein Thrombosis, and others to help make more 
Americans aware of this disease.

                          ____________________