Whereas, Deep vein thrombosis (DTV) occurs when a blood clot forms in a deep vein, usually in the lower limbs; and,

Whereas, A complication of DVT, a pulmonary embolism (PE), can occur when a fragment of a blood clot breaks loose from the wall of the vein and migrates to the lungs, where it blocks a pulmonary artery or one of its branches; and,

Whereas,  Up to 2 million Americans are affected annually by DVT, and of those who develop a PE, up to 300,000 will die each year; and,

Whereas, In the elderly, DVT is associated with a 21 percent one-year mortality rate, and PE is associated with a 39 percent one-year mortality rate; and,

Whereas, PE is the leading cause of maternal death associated with childbirth, and a woman's risk of developing DVT is six times greater when she is pregnant; and,

Whereas, DTV can occur in almost anyone but certain individuals are at a higher risk do to several risk factors including; cancer, certain heart or respiratory diseases, advanced age, obesity, patients undergoing major surgery, such as joint replacements, those who remain immobile in bed after an operation, pregnancy, use of birth control pills, and trauma; and,

Whereas, Citizens should become more aware of deep vein thrombosis through education, information exchange, and research in order to help improve the chances for early diagnosis and intervention; and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 2008, as Deep Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month in Michigan.