FACT: It is estimated that 50% to 80% of the amputations performed in the United States are preventable.

FACT: 50% of patients with one lower limb amputation will lose an opposite limb within 2-3 years and 70% will develop a serious complication on the remaining limb within 2-3 years

FACT: Survival rate following a single leg amputation is only 50% at three years and 40% at five years.

... The vast majority of these complications are preventable through knowledge imparted to both the patient and caregiver.

A major program of the Foundation is the “Save A Limb Campaign” dedicated to decreasing the amputation rate in the United States. This is to be accomplished  by educating patients, caregivers  and the lay public regarding risk factors, interventions to prevent  unnecessary amputations, alternative treatment options and ways of selecting the appropriate medical care.

This will be carried out through the following efforts:

• By providing valuable educational resources for the public, the AmWCF strives to reduce the number of amputations.
  
• By raising awareness that lower limb ulcers, bed sores to the lower back, burns and non-healing surgical wounds all pose risk with life altering complications and death.
  
• By optimally treating the pathologic conditions for the open skin can reduce the morbidity. There can be an increased quality of life and a decrease in the cost to the health care delivery system.