[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 79 (Friday, June 3, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1053-E1054]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                           KIDNEY ACTION DAY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. ELEANOR HOLMES NORTON

                      of the district of columbia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Friday, June 3, 2011

  Ms. NORTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to ask the House of 
Representatives to join me on June 11, 2011, in recognizing Kidney 
Action Day in the District of Columbia to raise awareness of chronic 
kidney disease and of the importance of early detection and treatment.
  Over 31 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease, but 
many people are unaware that they may be at risk. In the District, 
there are nearly 6,000 people on dialysis and 1,600 people on the 
kidney transplant waiting list. Not only does the District have the 
highest rate of kidney disease in the nation, kidney disease is the 
13th leading cause of death here. In areas of the city that are heavily 
populated with minorities, the rate of kidney disease is double the 
national average.
  Since chronic kidney disease can go undetected for years, people are 
urged to get screened for it, either through blood or urine tests. 
Early stage kidney disease can be treated with medications, healthy 
eating and exercise. I cannot stress enough the importance of early 
detection and treatment of kidney disease, which, if undetected, can 
lead to diabetes and hypertension, which, in turn, increase the risk of 
heart attacks, strokes, and heart-related deaths. As chronic kidney 
disease progresses, patients may require dialysis, which

[[Page E1054]]

helps clean the bloodstream of toxic waste, or a kidney transplant.
  On June 11, 2011, I will attend the American Kidney Fund's ``Steps 
that Count'' walk at Nationals Park here to raise awareness of kidney 
disease and to call on the residents of the District to get screened 
for it. I ask the House to join me on June 11, 2011, to recognize 
Kidney Action Day in the District of Columbia and to urge Americans to 
get screened for kidney disease.

                          ____________________