[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 159 (Tuesday, September 15, 2020)]
[Senate]
[Page S5615]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  SENATE RESOLUTION 696--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 4, 2020, AS ``NATIONAL 
 POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS DAY'', AND RAISING AWARENESS AND 
               UNDERSTANDING OF POLYCYSTIC KIDNEY DISEASE

  Mr. BLUNT (for himself and Mr. Cardin) submitted the following 
resolution; which was considered and agreed to:

                              S. Res. 696

       Whereas designating September 4, 2020, as ``National 
     Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day'' will raise public 
     awareness and understanding of polycystic kidney disease, one 
     of the most prevalent genetic kidney disorders, which affects 
     approximately 500,000 people in the United States;
       Whereas National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Day 
     will help to foster an understanding of the impact polycystic 
     kidney disease has on individuals 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 affects the health and 
     finances of individuals, and equally affects individuals of 
     all ages, races, ethnicities, and sexes;
       Whereas, of the individuals diagnosed with polycystic 
     kidney disease, approximately 10 percent have no family 
     history of the disease, with the disease developing as a 
     spontaneous mutation;
       Whereas there are very few treatments and no cure for 
     polycystic kidney disease, which is 1 of the 4 leading causes 
     of kidney failure in the United States;
       Whereas almost 50 percent of individuals with polycystic 
     kidney disease experience kidney failure by age 60;
       Whereas friends, loved ones, spouses, and caregivers of 
     individuals with polycystic kidney disease can assist with 
     the challenges created by polycystic kidney disease, 
     including by helping such individuals maintain a healthy 
     lifestyle and make regular visits to their health care 
     providers;
       Whereas the severity of the symptoms of polycystic kidney 
     disease and limited public awareness of the disease may cause 
     individuals to forego regular visits to their physicians or 
     avoid following the health recommendations of their doctors, 
     which experts suggest could help prevent further 
     complications should kidney failure occur;
       Whereas individuals who have chronic, life-threatening 
     diseases like polycystic kidney disease may experience 
     depression;
       Whereas the PKD Foundation and its more than 35,000 patient 
     and family advocates 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 individuals 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, on September 4, 2020, the PKD Foundation is 
     partnering with sister organizations in Canada, Australia, 
     and other countries to increase international awareness of 
     polycystic kidney disease: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates September 4, 2020, 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 
     individuals and their families.

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