Senator Breslin Recognizes World Kidney Day

Contact: Evan Schneider | 518-455-2225 | eschneid@nysenate.gov
March 10, 2011

(Albany, NY)- Senator Neil D. Breslin (D-Delmar) notes that Thursday March 10, 2011 is World Kidney Day. Kidney diseases are silent killers, many patients do not show any symptoms until they reach kidney failure. Senator Breslin encourages all of his constituents to get tested and spread the word about the importance of getting tested for kidney disease.

This year, World Kidney Day focuses on Diabetes. Diabetes is one of the leading causes of kidney diseases worldwide.  Major causes of kidney damage include hypertension, obesity, and pollution. Many people ignore the severity of these conditions which has led to an increase in the prevalence of kidney disorders.

“On this World Kidney Day lets remind ourselves and our loved ones to get tested, if detected early through an inexpensive urine test, the patient can be treated with affordable medicine and avoid expensive dialysis treatment” said Senator Breslin.  

Senator Breslin was successful last year in making dialysis treatment more affordable and available to patients. The new law that he sponsored would allow individuals who receive dialysis treatment to receive their therapy outside of their insurance provider network. People who need regular dialysis treatment in order to survive, often times three times a week are unable to visit out of town family members, attend weddings and funerals or even just make ordinary vacation plans because they are prohibited from receiving their treatments outside their network, unless they are willing to pay out of pocket the full cost of treatment. This bill gives people facing kidney disorders more freedom and a better quality of life.

In observance of World Kidney Day The National Kidney Foundation of Northeast New York is holding a variety of free kidney screenings:

·    March 10, 2011: Kidney disorder risk assessment at 12 noon until 3 pm, Albany City Hall. The assessment includes a questionnaire to help understand risk factors for kidney disease, a blood pressure check and a glucose check.
·    March 29, 2011: Full kidney screening from 9 am until 3 pm at the Well in the Legislative Office Building.

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