LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to
proclaim September 4, 2013, as PKD Awareness Day in the State of New
York

WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to recognize official
days that are set aside to increase awareness of serious issues that
affect the lives of citizens of New York State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and fully in accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the sense of this Legislative Body to memori-
alize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim Wednesday, September 4, 2013,
as PKD Awareness Day in the State of New York, in conjunction with
National PKD Awareness Day; and
WHEREAS, Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) affects an estimated 600,000
Americans and 12.5 million newborns, children and adults worldwide; in
New York State, there are approximately 38,500 people with PKD; and
WHEREAS, It is one of the most common, life-threatening, genetic
diseases; and
WHEREAS, Specifically, people who are affected by PKD develop cysts on
their kidneys; the cysts on the kidneys grow and, eventually, the
kidneys are unable to perform their life-preserving role of filtering
metabolic wastes; and
WHEREAS, Approximately 50% of people with PKD will experience kidney
failure, requiring them to have either dialysis or a kidney transplant
to stay alive; these two options are the only treatment as there is no
cure for this horrific disease; and
WHEREAS, Both genes for PKD have been discovered and clinical trials
are underway to develop medicines to, hopefully, slow down cyst develop-
ment on the kidneys and, by so doing, preserve kidney function; and
WHEREAS, Even with the passage of the Genetic Information Non-Discri-
mination Act (GINA), many people with PKD are afraid to reveal their
diagnosis for fear of insurance or employment discrimination; thus, many
people do not know about PKD and, because of that lack of knowledge,
support for a cure becomes more challenging; and
WHEREAS, The PKD Foundation is the only organization, worldwide, dedi-
cated to fighting Polycystic Kidney Disease; its mission is to promote
programs of research, advocacy, education, support and awareness in
order to discover treatments and a cure for this critical disease and
improve the lives of all the people it affects; and
WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes the efforts of all those who
raise funds and promote awareness to fight PKD, thereby improving the
quality of life for those living with Polycystic Kidney Disease; now,
therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim September 4, 2013, as
PKD Awareness 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.