LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim March 2015 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 Gover-
nor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2015 as Kidney Disease Awareness
Month in the State of New York, in conjunction with the observance of
National Kidney Awareness Month, and the observance of March 12, 2015,
as World Kidney Day; 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 wait-
ing 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; the theme of
this year's World Kidney Day is "Kidney Health for All"; and
WHEREAS, People afflicted with chronic kidney disease typically devel-
op 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 chron-
ic kidney disease; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim March 2015 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 tran-
smitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the State of New
York.