Governors Proclaim March as Kidney Month in Washington and Oregon
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
The Northwest Kidney Council (NWKC) extends our sincere gratitude to the Governors of both Washington and Oregon for recognizing March as Kidney Month and helping elevate awareness of chronic kidney disease across the Pacific Northwest, especially kidney dialysis patients who rely on regular, life-sustaining treatment.
In Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek proclaimed March as National Kidney Month, highlighting the importance of early detection, prevention, and uninterrupted access to care for people living with kidney disease. In 2024, 4.4% of adults in Oregon - more than 180,000 Oregonians - reported having been diagnosed with kidney disease, according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. This recognition helps shine a light on the growing need for education, screening, and access to treatment for patients across the state.
In Washington, Governor Bob Ferguson similarly proclaimed March as Kidney Month, recognizing the critical importance of raising awareness about kidney disease and supporting the patients and providers who work every day to improve kidney health. In Washington, the impact is also significant: in 2024, 3.7% of adults - nearly 300,000 Washingtonians - reported having been diagnosed with kidney disease , according to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
These proclamations serve as an important reminder that kidney disease affects hundreds of thousands of lives in the Pacific Northwest, many of whom remain undiagnosed. Importantly, both proclamations recognize that individuals living with advanced chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease are medically frail and depend on reliable, uninterrupted and affordable access to treatment to survive.
Greater awareness also helps inform the policies needed to ensure kidney dialysis patients and providers can continue accessing reliable, life-sustaining treatment in communities across the Northwest.
NWKC is grateful to Governors Kotek and Ferguson for their leadership and remains committed to working with policymakers, providers, and patient advocates to advance kidney health and ensure kidney dialysis patients across Washington and Oregon have uninterrupted access to the life-sustaining care they depend on.
To view the official proclamations:
Comments