IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 558 

Recognizing October 7th as National Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

OCTOBER 5, 2017 

Mr. BRENDAN F. BOYLE of Pennsylvania submitted the following resolution; 

which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing October 7th as National Trigeminal Neuralgia 

Awareness Day. 

Whereas trigeminal neuralgia is a disease that impacts men 

and women of all ages, races, and ethnicities; 

Whereas trigeminal neuralgia is typically diagnosed after the 

age of 50, but affects individuals of all ages, including 

children and infants; 

Whereas it is estimated that 120,000 to 150,000 people are 

diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia every year; 

Whereas trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological disease of the 

fifth cranial nerve that alters the sensation of touch to 

the face, resulting in excruciating pain; 

Whereas the pain caused by the disease is of such intensity 

that trigeminal neuralgia is also known as ‘‘the suicide 

disease’’ and ‘‘the worst pain known to man’’; 


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•HRES 558 IH 

Whereas trigeminal neuralgia is not directly inherited, though 

studies show that genetic factors can indicate that certain individuals are susceptible to the disease; 

Whereas the exact cause of trigeminal neuralgia is still unknown; 

Whereas, though some patients are helped by surgery, 

trigeminal neuralgia is often unresponsive to surgical and 

pharmaceutical intervention, or the benefits of those 

interventions are short-lived; 

Whereas many sufferers and supporters of those with 

trigeminal neuralgia have formed groups dedicated to 

providing education, support, and the raising of funds for 

research, and the Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Facial 

Pain Association have spearheaded the implementation of 

a Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day; 

Whereas these organizations are dedicated not only to educating the public, the medical community, and patients, 

but also to raising funds for direly needed research into 

the causes and potential cures of trigeminal neuralgia; 

Whereas additional funding and research can enable those individuals disabled by this disorder to live to their fullest 

potential again; 

Whereas the goals of Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day 

are to invite individuals to join the movement to end 

trigeminal neuralgia, to encourage individuals to demonstrate a commitment to moving toward a world free of 

trigeminal neuralgia, and to acknowledge the individuals 

who have dedicated their time and talent to promote research and programs to end trigeminal neuralgia; and 


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•HRES 558 IH 

Whereas, this year and every year hereafter, October 7th is 

recognized as Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day: 

Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of Trigeminal 

3 Neuralgia Awareness Day; 

4 (2) encourages States, territories, possessions of 

5 the United States, and localities to support the goals 

6 and interests of Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness 

7 Day by issuing proclamations designating 

8 Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day; 

9 (3) encourages media organizations to partici10 pate in Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day and 

11 help provide education to the public about trigeminal 

12 neuralgia; 

13 (4) commends the efforts of the States, terri14 tories, and possessions of the United States to sup15 port the goals and ideals of Trigeminal Neuralgia 

16 Awareness Day; 

17 (5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of 

18 the United States to ending trigeminal neuralgia by 

19 promoting— 

20 (A) awareness about individuals who are 

21 affected by trigeminal neuralgia; and 


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•HRES 558 IH 

1 (B) education programs, supporting re2 search, and expanding access to medical treat3 ment; 

4 (6) recognizes the pain which all individuals in 

5 the United States with trigeminal neuralgia suffer; 

6 (7) expresses gratitude to the family members 

7 and friends of individuals living with trigeminal neu8 ralgia who are a source of love and encouragement 

9 to those individuals; and 

10 (8) salutes the health care professionals and 

11 medical researchers who— 

12 (A) provide assistance to those individuals 

13 affected by trigeminal neuralgia; and 

14 (B) continue to work to find ways to end 

15 trigeminal neuralgia forever. 

Æ 


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