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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Whereas trigeminal neuralgia is not directly inherited, though 
studies show that genetic factors can indicate that cer-
tain individuals are susceptible to the disease; 
Whereas the exact cause of trigeminal neuralgia is still un-
known; 
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 edu-
cating 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 in-
dividuals 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 dem-
onstrate 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 re-
search and programs to end trigeminal neuralgia; and 
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Whereas, this year and every year hereafter, October 7th is 
recognized as Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day: 
Now, therefore, be it 
Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 
(1) supports the goals and ideals of Trigeminal 
Neuralgia Awareness Day; 
(2) encourages States, territories, possessions of 
the United States, and localities to support the goals 
and interests of Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness 
Day 
by 
issuing 
proclamations 
designating 
Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day; 
(3) encourages media organizations to partici-
pate in Trigeminal Neuralgia Awareness Day and 
help provide education to the public about trigeminal 
neuralgia; 
(4) commends the efforts of the States, terri-
tories, and possessions of the United States to sup-
port the goals and ideals of Trigeminal Neuralgia 
Awareness Day; 
(5) recognizes and reaffirms the commitment of 
the United States to ending trigeminal neuralgia by 
promoting— 
(A) awareness about individuals who are 
affected by trigeminal neuralgia; and 
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(B) education programs, supporting re-
search, and expanding access to medical treat-
ment; 
(6) recognizes the pain which all individuals in 
the United States with trigeminal neuralgia suffer; 
(7) expresses gratitude to the family members 
and friends of individuals living with trigeminal neu-
ralgia who are a source of love and encouragement 
to those individuals; and 
(8) salutes the health care professionals and 
medical researchers who— 
(A) provide assistance to those individuals 
affected by trigeminal neuralgia; and 
(B) continue to work to find ways to end 
trigeminal neuralgia forever. 
Æ 
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