Source: United States Senator for Florida Marco Rubio
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) applauded the U.S. Senate’s passage of their resolution (S.Res.393), cosponsored by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), designating September 2021 as National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month. The resolution highlights the prevalence of spinal cord injuries and paralysis in the United States and applauds the work of those living with spinal cord injuries. The resolution also commends the families, friends, and the organizations that are committed to improving the quality of life for these individuals while tirelessly working toward better therapies and treatments, with the eventual goal of a cure.
Senator Rubio has introduced this resolution every year since joining the United States Senate to shine a light on the devastation of paralysis and to bring spinal cord injury to the forefront of public awareness.
The full text of the resolution is below.
Designating September 2021 as “National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Month”.
Whereas approximately 296,000 individuals in the United States live with spinal cord injuries, which cost society billions of dollars in health care costs and lost wages;
Whereas there are approximately 17,900 new spinal cord injuries in the United States each year;
Whereas more than 42,000 individuals with spinal cord injuries are veterans;
Whereas motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of spinal cord injuries;
Whereas nearly half of all spinal cord injuries to individuals 30 years of age or younger occur as a result of a motor vehicle accident;
Whereas the average remaining years of life for individuals living with spinal cord injuries has not improved significantly since the 1980s;
Whereas there is an urgent need to develop new neuroprotection, pharmacological, and regeneration treatments to reduce, prevent, and reverse paralysis;
and
Whereas increased education and investment in research are key factors in improving outcomes for individuals with spinal cord injuries, enhancing the quality of life of individuals with spinal cord injuries, and ultimately curing paralysis: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate—
(1) designates September 2021 as “National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness
Month”;
(2) supports the goals and ideals of National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness
Month;
(3) continues to support research to find better treatments, therapies, and a cure for spinal cord injuries;
(4) supports clinical trials for new therapies that offer promise and hope to individuals living with paralysis and their families; and
(5) commends the dedication of national, regional, and local organizations, researchers, doctors, volunteers, and people across the United States who are working to improve the quality of life of individuals living with spinal cord injuries and their families.