[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Page S5069]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         SUBMITTED RESOLUTIONS

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  SENATE RESOLUTION 576--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 4, 2018, AS ``NATIONAL 
 POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS DAY'', AND RAISING AWARENESS AND 
               UNDERSTANDING OF POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE

  Mr. BLUNT (for himself and Mr. Nelson) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 576

       Whereas designating September 4, 2018, as ``National 
     Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day'' will raise public 
     awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney disease, one 
     of the most prevalent, life-threatening genetic kidney 
     diseases;
       Whereas National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day 
     will help to foster an understanding of the impact polycystic 
     kidney disease has on patients and their families;
       Whereas polycystic kidney disease is a progressive, genetic 
     disorder of the kidneys that causes damage to the kidneys and 
     the cardiovascular, endocrine, hepatic, and gastrointestinal 
     organ systems;
       Whereas polycystic kidney disease has a devastating impact 
     on the health and finances of people of all ages, and equally 
     affects people of all races, genders, nationalities, 
     geographic locations, and income levels;
       Whereas, of the people diagnosed with polycystic kidney 
     disease, approximately 10 percent have no family history of 
     the disease, with the disease developing as a spontaneous (or 
     new) mutation;
       Whereas there are very few treatments and still no cure for 
     polycystic kidney disease, which is one of the 4 leading 
     causes of kidney failure in the United States;
       Whereas 50 percent of patients with polycystic kidney 
     disease suffer kidney failure at an average age of 53, 
     causing a severe strain on dialysis and kidney 
     transplantation resources and on the delivery of health care 
     in the United States;
       Whereas polycystic kidney disease instills in patients fear 
     of an unknown future with a life-threatening genetic disease 
     and apprehension over possible discrimination, including the 
     risk of losing their health and life insurance, their jobs, 
     and their chances for promotion;
       Whereas countless friends, loved ones, spouses, and 
     caregivers of patients with polycystic kidney disease must 
     shoulder the physical, emotional, and financial burdens that 
     polycystic kidney disease causes;
       Whereas the severity of the symptoms of polycystic kidney 
     disease and the limited public awareness of the disease cause 
     many patients to live in denial and forego regular visits to 
     their physicians or avoid following good health management, 
     which would help avoid more severe complications when kidney 
     failure occurs;
       Whereas people who have chronic, life-threatening diseases 
     like polycystic kidney disease have a predisposition to 
     depression because of their anxiety over pain, suffering, and 
     premature death;
       Whereas the PKD Foundation and its more than 50 volunteer 
     chapters around the United States are dedicated to--
       (1) conducting research to find treatments and a cure for 
     polycystic kidney disease;
       (2) fostering public awareness and understanding of 
     polycystic kidney disease;
       (3) educating patients and their families about the disease 
     to improve their treatment and care; and
       (4) providing support, including by sponsoring the annual 
     ``Walk for PKD'' to raise funds for polycystic kidney disease 
     research, education, advocacy, and awareness; and
       Whereas the PKD Foundation is partnering on September 4, 
     2018, with sister organizations in Canada, the Commonwealth 
     of Australia, and other countries to increase international 
     awareness of polycystic kidney disease: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 4, 2018, as ``National Polycystic 
     Kidney Disease Awareness Day'';
       (2) supports the goals and ideals of National Polycystic 
     Kidney Disease Awareness Day to raise public awareness and 
     understanding of polycystic kidney disease;
       (3) recognizes the need for additional research to find a 
     cure for polycystic kidney disease; and
       (4) encourages all people in the United States and 
     interested groups to support National Polycystic Kidney 
     Awareness Day through appropriate ceremonies and activities 
     to promote public awareness of polycystic kidney disease, and 
     to foster an understanding of the impact of the disease on 
     patients and their families.

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