1

Senate Resolution

2

A resolution recognizing November 10-16, 2008, as "Spinal

3

Cord Injury Awareness Week" in Florida.

4

5

     WHEREAS, the central nervous system is made up of two parts,

6

the brain and the spinal cord, and

7

     WHEREAS, the spinal cord is considered the "information

8

superhighway" of the body because it contains bundles of neurons

9

that carry signals to and from the brain, controlling many bodily

10

functions, and

11

     WHEREAS, after a spinal cord injury occurs, damaged neurons

12

can no longer emit signals to or from the brain, and the injured

13

person suffers permanent sensory loss and muscle control, and

14

     WHEREAS, currently there are approximately 250,000 to

15

400,000 individuals in the United States who have sustained a

16

spinal cord injury, and

17

     WHEREAS, it is estimated that the annual incidence of spinal

18

cord injury in the United States, not including those who die at

19

the scene of an accident, is approximately 11,000 new cases each

20

year, and

21

     WHEREAS, the most common age for spinal cord injuries is 19

22

years old, with 30 percent of all injuries occurring between the

23

ages of 17 and 23, and 53 percent of all injuries occurring

24

between the ages of 16 and 30, and

25

     WHEREAS, more than 80 percent of spinal cord injuries occur

26

in men and 20 percent occur in women, and

27

     WHEREAS, the four leading causes of spinal cord injury for

28

both men and women are auto accidents, falls, gunshot wounds, and

29

recreational sporting activities, and

30

     WHEREAS, the average annual cost of care for individuals who

31

have a spinal cord injury ranges from $250,000 to $700,000 the

32

first year after injury, with an estimated lifetime cost ranging

33

between $500,000 and $3 million depending on the severity of

34

injury, and

35

     WHEREAS, in the past 15 years, scientists have made major

36

breakthroughs in understanding how to encourage damaged neurons

37

to regenerate and restore function and how to improve the quality

38

of life for patients in areas such as infertility and pain

39

management, and

40

     WHEREAS, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation has worked to help

41

fund research aimed at finding a cure for paralysis, as well as

42

improving the overall quality of life for individuals with

43

paralysis, and

44

     WHEREAS, the Darrell Gwynn Foundation will spend the week of

45

November 10-16 working with local governments and schools to

46

educate Floridians about the causes and treatments for spinal

47

cord injuries, as well as informing residents on how to prevent

48

these injuries from taking place, NOW, THEREFORE,

49

50

Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of Florida:

51

52

     That the week of November 10-16, 2008, is recognized as

53

"Spinal Cord Injury Awareness Week" in the State of Florida.