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 ; 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