LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 8, 2012, as World Kidney Day in the State of New York

WHEREAS, In New York State, chronic kidney disease is a serious health
problem affecting 1.2 million New Yorkers and often results in the slow
loss of kidney function over time; failure to diagnose and treat chronic
kidney disease in its early stages can result in high levels of waste
build up in the blood causing the body unnecessary suffering; and
WHEREAS, Nationwide, more than 26 million Americans suffer from kidney
failure during the course of their lives and as a result, their kidneys
stop removing excess wastes, fluids, and minerals from the body and the
build up of these toxins often leads to death; and
WHEREAS, In the United States, African-Americans are nearly four times
as likely to develop kidney disease as whites, Native Americans are
three times more likely to develop the disease, and Hispanics are twice
as likely to develop the disease as non-Hispanic whites; and
WHEREAS, The leading cause of kidney failure is diabetes and other
causes may include high blood pressure, kidney infection, and physical
injury to the kidney; and
WHEREAS, The symptoms of kidney failure include fatigue, itchiness,
frequent urination, water retention and thousands of people who do not
recognize these symptoms early have an increased chance of dying; and
WHEREAS, People with kidney failure are at high risk for developing
other conditions, such as bone disease, anemia and cardiovascular
disease; and
WHEREAS, Early intervention and increased community awareness about
the impact of kidney failure on patients' lives is important to the
successful management of this disease; and
WHEREAS, Patients can choose between hemodialysis and peritoneal dial-
ysis for treatment, and the type of dialysis a patient receives depends
on their remaining kidney function; and
WHEREAS, The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases (NIDDK) supports several programs devoted to improving treat-
ment for patients and slowing the progression of kidney disease; and
WHEREAS, Every year the International Federation of Kidney Foundations
commemorates World Kidney Day on the second Thursday in March to raise
awareness of the impact of kidney failure and its associated health
problems worldwide; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 8, 2012, as World
Kidney Day in the State of New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.