[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 137 (Thursday, September 15, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1645]
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

                      Thursday, September 15, 2011

  Mr. OWENS. Mr. 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 took place this year from August 8th 
through August 12th.
  There are over four hundred thousand 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.
  Mr. 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.

                          ____________________