[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 70 (Thursday, April 28, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E432-E433]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF A RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT THE DESIGNATION OF MAY 7 AS 
                      BRAIN DONATION AWARENESS DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EARL BLUMENAUER

                               of oregon

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 28, 2022

  Mr. BLUMENAUER. Madam Speaker, today I am pleased to introduce a 
resolution to support designating May 7 as Brain Donation Awareness 
Day.
  Today, brain disorder and diseases have a tremendous impact on 
individual patients and their families as well as the United States 
health care system. Approximately 100 million Americans are living with 
a brain disorder and an additional 1.2 million are diagnosed with 
adult-onset brain diseases or disorders every year. Brain diseases and 
disorders cost the

[[Page E433]]

U.S. more than $1.5 trillion per year, a significant portion of which 
is paid for by the Medicare program. With an aging population, we can 
expect to see a continual rise of neurodegenerative diseases in the 
years to come.
  Brain research is key to understanding underlying causes of these 
conditions. The scientific community has made great strides in recent 
years, but continued investment is needed. Postmortem brain tissue is 
an irreplaceable resource in neurological studies. However, communities 
of color and people experiencing poverty are underrepresented in these 
studies. Overcoming these disparities is critical to producing research 
results that have an equitable impact.
  Brain donation is separate from the routine organ donation process. 
Educating the public on the distinctions can lead to increased donation 
that better reflects our communities.
  I urge my colleagues to support this bipartisan resolution.

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