[Congressional Record Volume 156, Number 119 (Monday, August 9, 2010)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1541]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS AND EDUCATION WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSH D. HOLT

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, August 9, 2010

  Mr. HOLT. Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize the week of August 
9, 2010, as Kidney Disease Awareness and Education Week. This important 
event is sponsored by the American Nephrology Nurses' Association, 
ANNA. The week helps remind us and all Americans of the needs of 
patients suffering from or at risk of End Stage Renal Disease, ESRD.
  I have met with nephrology nurses from my district to discuss ESRD 
and hear from them firsthand about their work. According to national 
reports, over 400,000 Americans have irreversible kidney failure. The 
only treatment for ESRD is dialysis or kidney transplantation; however, 
transplantation is limited due to the shortage of donors. The majority 
of patients undergo regular dialysis treatments to sustain life.
  In my home state of New Jersey there are 10,882 people who suffer 
from ESRD and require regular dialysis. Nephrology nurses play a 
critical role in providing kidney disease patients with dialysis and 
related care and treatment to patients with ESRD across the entire 
country.
  ANNA's Kidney Disease Awareness and Education Week provides a great 
opportunity for everyone to learn about the excellent work being done 
by nephrology nurses across the country. Finally, I want to commend the 
nephrology nurses in New Jersey for the great work they do every day.

                          ____________________