Dunn encourages screening for medical condition that took his mother’s life

March 10, 2009

Summary

Deep-Vein Thrombosis causes more deaths than breast cancer and AIDS

Story

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Reagan Dunn appeared today on the floor of Congress to increase awareness of Deep-Vein Thrombosis (DVT), the condition that took the life of his mother, and to support the work of the Coalition to Prevent DVT.

“Because of the Coalition’s dedication, DVT awareness continues to grow – but more needs to be done. More people need to understand the signs and symptoms of DVT so that they can reduce their risk,” said Councilmember Dunn. “In honor of my mother, I have been working with the Coalition to raise awareness of this serious yet preventable condition across the country and more importantly on the public policy front.”

Congresswoman Jennifer Dunn, former chair of the State Republican Party and six-term member of Congress, died on September 5, 2007, from a pulmonary embolism caused by DVT.

Reagan Dunn joined Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Rep. Lois Capps (D-CA) in Congress today for the introduction of legislation establishing March as “DVT Awareness Month” and marking the second Tuesday in March as National Screening Day. The resolution is part of a national campaign by the Coalition to Prevent DVT to build awareness of DVT and to encourage the public to undergo screening for this health condition.

“Former Representative Dunn touched many lives and I’m honored to have been able to call her a friend and a mentor,” said Congresswoman McMorris Rodgers. “As we remember Jennifer and others like her today, it is important everyone is aware of the risk factors and symptoms of DVT so we can prevent and treat the disorder.”

DVT is a blood clot that forms inside a deep vein, most often in the lower leg. Once formed, a blood clot can break off and if not treated immediately has the potential to move into the lungs and block circulation, creating a life-threatening condition – pulmonary embolism, or PE. This medical condition is frequently fatal.

Up to 2 million Americans are affected by DVT annually. Approximately 300,000 Americans die each year from pulmonary embolism, the majority of which result from DVT. Complications from DVT kill more Americans than breast cancer and AIDS combined. The Coalition to Prevent DVT has worked to establish DVT as a national health priority through grassroots campaigns and partnerships with public policy leaders. These efforts helped lead to a recent Call to Action on DVT from the Office of the U.S. Surgeon General. Part of that call encourages healthcare professionals to assess their patients’ risk for DVT.