July 2007 | Vol. 25, No. 7

News of the Vascular Profession

SVU Members Urged to Partner with a SVS Member to Hold a Vascular Screening Event During Vascular Awareness Month, September 2007

SVS is joining with other vascular organizations in promoting National Vascular Awareness Month in September by encouraging all members to conduct a free screening event to raise public awareness of vascular health. Since SVU members have partnered with vascular surgeons in the past on screening events, you will be pleased to know there is a comprehensive, turn-key toolkit with all the guidelines and materials you need to conduct a screening event.

The Screening Event Toolkit is available to SVS members in the Members Only section of the www.VascularWeb.org. The vascular surgeon you work with can give you access to the materials using their login information. The toolkit contains all the information, forms, and promotional materials you need to conduct a screening event including: Screening Event Guidelines, Event Planning Timeline, Materials Checklist, Screening Forms, and Screening Event Press Kit. Also included are patient education materials that have been professionally designed and can be customized with space for you to enter contact information and print from your computer.

Whether you hold a screening event in September or some other time during the year, SVS will promote them nationally. Let us know the screening event date, time, and location to list it on the VascularWeb.org website. If you have any questions about holding a screening event or the Screening Event Toolkit send an email to communications@vascularsociety.org or call 800-258-7188 or 312-202-5608. Thank you for taking part in National Vascular Awareness Month.

P.A.D. Coalition Resolutions Introduced in Congress

Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) Coalition, resolutions have been introduced in Congress to declare September as "National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Month."

The SVU, a proud member of the Peripheral Arterial Disease (P.A.D.) Coalition, applauds U.S. Representatives Lois Capps (D-CA) and Barbara Cubin (R-WY), and U.S. Senators Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Byron Dorgan (D-ND) for introducing resolutions in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate to declare September as "National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Month. In order to pass these resolutions, the P.A.D. Coalition needs to secure additional co-sponsors for the resolutions.

You can help by contacting your U.S. Representative and both U.S. Senators to urge their sponsorship of either House Resolution 433: Supporting the goals and ideals of National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Month, or Senate Resolution 221: Supporting National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Month and efforts to educate people about peripheral arterial disease. To obtain your local representatives' contact information, go to www.house.gov or www.senate.gov.

SVU urges its members to contact their Members of Congress to co-sponsor either the House or Senate resolutions that will help the P.A.D. Coalition proclaim September as "National Peripheral Arterial Disease Awareness Month."

Registration Underway for Team VDF for 2007 Chicago Marathon

Registration is now open for the 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon on October 7. The Vascular Disease Foundation, of which SVU is a participating member, is once again an official charity for the 30th Anniversary LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon, and they need your help to reach their goal.

Team VDF's goal is $25,000 this year and by sponsoring a runner or donating to VDF you can help raise awareness about vascular disease. The March e-Spectrum newsletter included an article on SVU member Dr. Russell Becker who ran on the VDF Team in the 2006 Chicago Marathon.

Contact Christa Saracco of VDF by email at christa.saracco@vdf.org or by phone at 1-888.VDF.4INFO if you would like more information about Team VDF. To become a member of Team VDF, runners pay a $35 tax deductible registration fee and receive a team t-shirt, singlet and a goody bag. Once you are registered with Team VDF you must commit to raising a minimum of $150 towards vascular disease education. Race participants who raise more than the minimum amount will be eligible for prizes such as gift cards and clothing. Fundraising support and encouragement along the way also will be provided by VDF.

If you live in the Chicago area but don't plan to run in the marathon, please consider volunteering with VDF during the health and fitness expo associated with the marathon. They also need volunteers on race day to help as Team VDF prepares to run and to cheer them on at different locations along the race course and at the finish line. Help support Team VDF in the 2007 LaSalle Bank Chicago Marathon.