[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 106 (Monday, July 19, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1354]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                TRIBUTE TO KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. WILLIAM L. OWENS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 19, 2010

  Mr. OWENS. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor the American 
Nephrology Nurses Association as well as all those involved in the 
annual Kidney Disease Awareness Week, which will take place this year 
from August 9th through August 13th.
  There are over 400,000 Americans who have irreversible kidney 
failure, and the only treatment for this disease is dialysis or kidney 
transplantation. However, transplants are limited due to the shortage 
of donors, and the majority of patients who suffer from this forgotten 
ailment must undergo regular dialysis treatments.
  The leading causes of end-stage kidney disease (ESRD), a disease that 
24,000 New Yorkers suffer from, are hypertension and diabetes. An 
additional 15,000 people in my State suffer from these two ailments and 
are at risk of ESRD. Despite these staggering numbers, debilitating 
kidney diseases are typically forgotten.
  Our area nephrology nurses play a fundamental role in providing our 
sick with dialysis and related treatments in my community and across 
the entire country. I applaud them for their efforts to contribute to 
the overall health of our nation.
  Madam Speaker, I thank the American Nephrology Nurses Association for 
their work to treat these diseases and urge every American to observe 
Kidney Disease Awareness Week this August.

                          ____________________