[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 147 (Friday, September 20, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E936-E937]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 EXPRESSING SUPPORT FOR THE GOALS AND IDEAS OF NATIONAL HYDROCEPHALUS 
 AWARENESS MONTH AND RECOGNIZING SEPTEMBER 20TH AS WORLD HYDROCEPHALUS 
                                  DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. CHRISTOPHER H. SMITH

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Friday, September 20, 2024

  Mr. SMITH of New Jersey. Mr. Speaker, as the proud Co-Chair of the 
Congressional Pediatric and Adult Hydrocephalus Caucus--along with my 
good friend Congressman Lloyd Doggett of Texas--I rise to express my 
support for the goals and ideas of World Hydrocephalus Day and 
recognize September as National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month.
  Hydrocephalus--a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain--is 
colloquially known as ``water on the brain.'' Everyone, from babies to 
the elderly, can develop it. While some cases are congenital, it can 
also be caused by a traumatic brain injury, an infection, or even just 
develop as part of the aging process--anyone can acquire hydrocephalus 
at any time.
  Hydrocephalus is a life-threatening condition that affects 
approximately 1,000,000 people in the United States with an incidence 
rate of 85 per 100,000 individuals. One out of every 770 babies born 
will develop hydrocephalus. Nationwide, over 400,000 babies a year are 
born with hydrocephalus. Since 2000, more than 470,000 United States 
servicemembers have sustained a traumatic brain injury (TBI), one cause 
of Hydrocephalus.
  Brain surgery is the only treatment--many patients endure dozens of 
surgeries in their lifetime. The implantation of a `shunt', a tube that 
allows fluid to move from one part of the body to another, is the 
standard course of treatment for hydrocephalus. Unfortunately, shunt's 
have one of the highest failure rates of all medical devices, resulting 
in repeated procedures for patients and a diminished quality of life. 
It is essential to better understand this condition and its profound 
impact on the people we represent.
  While there is no cure yet, Congress can play a role in moving the 
ball forward.
  Mr. Speaker, further education and research is needed to prevent, 
detect, and treat hydrocephalus.

[[Page E937]]

  Fortunately, there are wonderful organizations such as the 
Hydrocephalus Association and Pediatric Hydrocephalus Foundation, that 
serve as global leaders for hydrocephalus awareness, education, 
support, research, and advocacy. These organization are advancing the 
wellbeing of every individual with hydrocephalus, their families, and 
their caregivers.
  Especially important to the awareness work of hydrocephalus community 
are the volunteers who give their time to advocate for and provide 
services to all those living with hydrocephalus.
  I'd like to offer special thanks to Carly Weismann, one of my 
constituents and a volunteer who for the last eight years has been the 
chairperson of the New Jersey Hydrocephalus Walk which raises needed 
awareness and funds to aid those with hydrocephalus.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all my colleagues to join me in supporting the 
important goals of World Hydrocephalus Day and join me in recognizing 
September as Hydrocephalus Month.

                          ____________________