[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 576 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 576

Designating September 4, 2018, as ``National Polycystic Kidney Disease 
Awareness Day'', and raising awareness and understanding of polycystic 
                            kidney disease.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                             July 18, 2018

    Mr. Blunt (for himself and Mr. Nelson) submitted the following 
    resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating September 4, 2018, as ``National Polycystic Kidney Disease 
Awareness Day'', and raising awareness and understanding of polycystic 
                            kidney disease.

Whereas designating September 4, 2018, as ``National Polycystic Kidney Disease 
        Awareness Day'' will raise public awareness and understanding of 
        polycystic kidney disease, one of the most prevalent, life-threatening 
        genetic kidney diseases;
Whereas National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day will help to foster an 
        understanding of the impact polycystic kidney disease has on patients 
        and their families;
Whereas polycystic kidney disease is a progressive, genetic disorder of the 
        kidneys that causes damage to the kidneys and the cardiovascular, 
        endocrine, hepatic, and gastrointestinal organ systems;
Whereas polycystic kidney disease has a devastating impact on the health and 
        finances of people of all ages, and equally affects people of all races, 
        genders, nationalities, geographic locations, and income levels;
Whereas, of the people diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, approximately 
        10 percent have no family history of the disease, with the disease 
        developing as a spontaneous (or new) mutation;
Whereas there are very few treatments and still no cure for polycystic kidney 
        disease, which is one of the 4 leading causes of kidney failure in the 
        United States;
Whereas 50 percent of patients with polycystic kidney disease suffer kidney 
        failure at an average age of 53, causing a severe strain on dialysis and 
        kidney transplantation resources and on the delivery of health care in 
        the United States;
Whereas polycystic kidney disease instills in patients fear of an unknown future 
        with a life-threatening genetic disease and apprehension over possible 
        discrimination, including the risk of losing their health and life 
        insurance, their jobs, and their chances for promotion;
Whereas countless friends, loved ones, spouses, and caregivers of patients with 
        polycystic kidney disease must shoulder the physical, emotional, and 
        financial burdens that polycystic kidney disease causes;
Whereas the severity of the symptoms of polycystic kidney disease and the 
        limited public awareness of the disease cause many patients to live in 
        denial and forego regular visits to their physicians or avoid following 
        good health management, which would help avoid more severe complications 
        when kidney failure occurs;
Whereas people who have chronic, life-threatening diseases like polycystic 
        kidney disease have a predisposition to depression because of their 
        anxiety over pain, suffering, and premature death;
Whereas the PKD Foundation and its more than 50 volunteer chapters around the 
        United States are dedicated to--

    (1) conducting research to find treatments and a cure for polycystic 
kidney disease;

    (2) fostering public awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney 
disease;

    (3) educating patients and their families about the disease to improve 
their treatment and care; and

    (4) providing support, including by sponsoring the annual ``Walk for 
PKD'' to raise funds for polycystic kidney disease research, education, 
advocacy, and awareness; and

Whereas the PKD Foundation is partnering on September 4, 2018, with sister 
        organizations in Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, and other 
        countries to increase international awareness of polycystic kidney 
        disease: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates September 4, 2018, as ``National Polycystic 
        Kidney Disease Awareness Day'';
            (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Polycystic 
        Kidney Disease Awareness Day to raise public awareness and 
        understanding of polycystic kidney disease;
            (3) recognizes the need for additional research to find a 
        cure for polycystic kidney disease; and
            (4) encourages all people in the United States and 
        interested groups to support National Polycystic Kidney 
        Awareness Day through appropriate ceremonies and activities to 
        promote public awareness of polycystic kidney disease, and to 
        foster an understanding of the impact of the disease on 
        patients and their families.
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