Declare Kidney Disease Awareness Month

Senate Resolution No. 3451 BY: Senator HANNON MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2018, as Kidney Disease Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Kidney Month WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2018 as Kidney Disease Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Kidney Month; and WHEREAS, Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major health problem affecting 1.5 million New Yorkers and an estimated 26 million people nationwide; and WHEREAS, The incidence of kidney failure, or end stage renal disease (ESRD), is rising fast, with more than 546,000 Americans currently receiving treatment, including more than 400,000 dialysis patients and

165,000 people with functioning kidney transplants; and WHEREAS, Today, nearly 10,000 New Yorkers are on the transplant waiting list; New York State encourages all to join the State's tissue and organ donation registry; and WHEREAS, Tragically, more than 88,000 Americans die each year from causes related to kidney failure; and WHEREAS, Diabetes and hypertension are the two leading causes of chronic kidney disease which strikes minorities disproportionately; and WHEREAS, African Americans are affected at a rate of nearly three times that of Caucasians; the number of new cases of kidney failure per million is 783 for African Americans and 295 for whites; Hispanics, Asians, Pacific Islanders, and Native Americans are also at increased risk; and WHEREAS, Also at particular risk are the elderly, as the chance of developing kidney disease increases significantly with age; and WHEREAS, People afflicted with chronic kidney disease typically develop other chronic and life-threatening conditions such as cardiovascular disease; and WHEREAS, Early intervention is the best method for managing the complications of chronic kidney disease; and WHEREAS, The Northeast Kidney Foundation provides early intervention, community education and support programs for those suffering from chronic kidney disease; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2018 as Kidney Disease Awareness Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of National Kidney Month; and be it further RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New York.