[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 356 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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116th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 356

Designating September 4, 2019, as ``National Polycystic Kidney Disease 
Awareness Day'', and raising awareness and understanding of polycystic 
                            kidney disease.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 26, 2019

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating September 4, 2019, as ``National Polycystic Kidney Disease 
Awareness Day'', and raising awareness and understanding of polycystic 
                            kidney disease.

Whereas designating September 4, 2019, as ``National Polycystic Kidney Disease 
        Awareness Day'' will raise public awareness and understanding of 
        polycystic kidney disease, one of the most prevalent genetic kidney 
        disorders, which affects approximately 500,000 people in the United 
        States;
Whereas National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day will help to foster an 
        understanding of the impact polycystic kidney disease has on individuals 
        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 affects the health and finances of people of 
        all ages, and equally affects people of all ages, races, ethnicities, 
        and sexes;
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 mutation;
Whereas there are very few treatments and 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 individuals with polycystic kidney disease experience 
        kidney failure at an average age of 57;
Whereas friends, loved ones, spouses, and caregivers of individuals with 
        polycystic kidney disease can assist with the challenges created by 
        polycystic kidney disease, including by helping such individuals 
        maintain a healthy lifestyle and make regular visits to their health 
        care providers;
Whereas the severity of the symptoms of polycystic kidney disease and limited 
        public awareness of the disease may cause individuals to forego regular 
        visits to their physicians or avoid following the health recommendations 
        of their doctors, which experts suggest could help prevent further 
        complications should kidney failure occur;
Whereas people who have chronic, life-threatening diseases like polycystic 
        kidney disease may experience depression;
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 individuals 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, 2019, with sister 
        organizations in Canada, Australia, and other countries to increase 
        international awareness of polycystic kidney disease: Now, therefore, be 
        it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates September 4, 2019, 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 
        individuals and their families.
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