On the recordJuly 22, 2010
I rise today along with Senator Hatch to introduce a resolution to increase awareness of Polycystic Kidney Disease, PKD, a common and life threatening genetic illness. Over 600,000 people have been diagnosed with PKD nationwide. There is no treatment or cure for this devastating disease. Families and friends struggle to fight PKD and provide unwavering support to their suffering loved ones. But there is hope. The PKD Foundation has led the fight for increased research and patient education. Recent studies have led to the discovery of the genes that cause PKD as well as promising clinical drug trials for treatment. More needs to be done, however, and the government wants to help. In order to increase public awareness of this fatal disease, I propose that September 13th through the 19th be designated as National Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Week. This week coincides with the annual walk for PKD which takes place every September. In Wisconsin, where over 10,000 patients are living with the disease, residents gather across the state to take part in this very special walk. Increasing awareness will help all those affected by Polycystic Kidney Disease, and I hope my colleagues will support this important resolution.
