[Congressional Record Volume 148, Number 44 (Thursday, April 18, 2002)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E581]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       INTRODUCTION OF H. RES. __

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. LYNN N. RIVERS

                              of michigan

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, April 18, 2002

  Ms. RIVERS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. Res. __, 
commending the NephCure Foundation headquartered in Ann Arbor, Michigan 
for establishing National Kidney Cure Week in the first week of October 
and encouraging the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make more 
information on kidney diseases available to the public.
  Today, chronic kidney disease affects 2.5 million Americans. The U.S. 
Surgeon General has designated kidney disease as a focus area of the 
Healthy People 2010 campaign. The incidence of glomerular diseases, 
which attack the filtering mechanisms of the kidiley, is increasing 
rapidly in the US. These diseases typically strike children from 
sixteen months to four years of age and often are difficult to 
diagnosis and treat. In their most severe form, glomerular diseases can 
lead to end stage renal disease--near or complete kidney failure 
requiring dialysis treatments or even kidney transplants. Sadly, even 
after a patient finds a donor, undergoes surgery, and receives a 
transplant, the disease can recur.
  Glomerular diseases impact more than the patients and families 
directly affected--the economic costs associated with care, treatment, 
and loss of productivity are staggering. In order to raise public 
awareness and improve diagnosis and treatment of glomerular diseases, I 
am introducing this resolution commending NephCure Foundation for 
designating the first week of October as National Kidney Cure Week and 
encouraging the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make more 
information available to the public concerning kidney diseases.
  While treating kidney diseases effectively remains a challenge, there 
is potential for substantial scientific progress toward finding cures. 
Researchers at the National Institutes of Health are beginning clinical 
trials, with the goal of discovering new and innovative therapies for 
patients suffering from various kidney diseases.
  National Kidney Cure Week activities will help develop public and 
private partnerships, encourage competency among health care providers, 
and promote health education and training. There are many national and 
regional organizations that will greatly contribute to and benefit from 
such partnerships: the NephCare Foundation, American Association of 
Kidney Patients, American Kidney Fund, American Society of Pediatric 
Nephrology, American Society of Nephrology, Association of Nephrology 
Nurses, the National Kidney Foundation, the PKD Foundation, and 
numerous other private foundations, universities, and hospitals.
  Events held in connection with National Kidney Cure Week could lead 
to improved diagnosis, acute treatment, and disease management for 
Americans who are susceptible to kidney disease. The Secretary of 
Health and Human Services also could greatly improve awareness and 
treatment by strengthening kidney disease public education efforts. I 
am happy to support these efforts and to commend the NephCure 
Foundation for its leadership on this issue.

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