Increased Brain Aneurysm Awareness

Floor Speech

INCREASED BRAIN ANEURYSM AWARENESS -- (Senate - September 30, 2008)

Mr. KERRY. Mr. President, I would like to take a moment to discuss an important medical condition that, in my opinion, is in need of increased attention. Brain aneurysm is defined by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, NINDS, as, ``the dilation, bulging, or ballooning-out of part of the wall of an artery in the brain.'' Nationwide, there are 27,000 patients who each year have a ruptured aneurysm. But an estimated 6 million Americans currently live with an unruptured brain aneurysm. In Massachusetts alone, more than 1,000 cases of brain aneurysm are treated annually. With few symptoms, brain aneurysm is a condition that can strike without warning and have a devastating impact on individual lives and families in our country and abroad.

I applaud the efforts of the medical profession, research institutes such as the National Inistututes of Health, NIH, and nonprofit organizations and groups such as the Brain Aneurysm Foundation who work tirelessly to combat brain aneurysm. Such work is critical to increasing the medical research and education that will lead to breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of this devastating condition.

During the month of September, conferences and meetings are taking place across the country to raise brain aneurysm awareness. I want to recognize Massachusetts as one of several States which have declared the month of September as ``Brain Aneurysm Awareness Month.'' Such declarations show that States across the country understand the importance of raising awareness of this condition and are taking the time to highlight the need for additional education. I support these efforts and look forward to Congress working in a similar fashion in the near future.

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