Oregon Gov. Brown and Washington Gov. Inslee issued formal proclamations declaring this month as Polycystic Kidney Disease Awareness Month.
The Northwest Kidney Council requested and received these proclamations from our governors because they are essential tools in spreading awareness about PKD and how it impacts patients in the Pacific Northwest. Thank you, governors, for your commitment to helping us end PKD.
The proclamations state:
Whereas, polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a progressive, genetic disorder that causes damage to the kidneys and the cardiovascular, endocrine, hepatic, and gastrointestinal organ systems; and
Whereas, PKD causes kidney function decline and is one of the four leading causes of kidney failure in the United States; and
Whereas, people who have chronic, life-threatening diseases like PKD have a predisposition to depression and are seven times more likely than the national average to experience thoughts of suicide due to their anxiety over pain, suffering, and premature death; and
Whereas, PKD has a devastating impact on the health and finances of people of all ages, and affects people of all races, genders, nationalities, geographic locations, and income levels; and
Whereas, insurance coverage, gaps in care and access to necessary treatments continue to lag for underserved communities in America, especially Black and Latinx populations.
Whereas, PKD awareness empowers patients and families to seek diagnosis, support, and appropriate treatment.