By Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI)

As you know, more than 36,000 Americans will be diagnosed with kidney cancer this year, and more than 12,000 people will die of the disease. Additionally, more than 61,000 patients are currently waiting for a kidney transplant, but only about 14,000 will receive one this year. Heart disease is the major cause of death for all people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and those at the highest risk include people with diabetes, hypertension and a family history of kidney disease. According to the American Journal of Kidney Diseases, almost half of the individuals with an advanced form of kidney disease are not aware they have weak or failing kidneys. Therefore, kidney cancer is among those diseases where early diagnosis and proper treatments are, unequivocally, the most effective remedies. Tragically, of course, there as yet exists no cure.

World Kidney Day is observed on the second Thursday of March each year, and was held for the first time in 2006. World Kidney Day was established to increase awareness of kidney disease and further educate people on the importance of prevention and early detection. It is a joint initiative by the International Society of Nephrology (ISF) and International Federation of Kidney Foundations (IFKF). The next World Kidney Day will be held on March 13, 2008. In 2007, it was held on March 8th.

On January 31, 2007, I introduced H.Res. 123, expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that there should be established a National Kidney Cancer Awareness Month. This resolution recognizes kidney cancer survivors in the United States; commends the efforts of patients, survivors, volunteers and professionals who combat kidney cancer each day; and urges health practitioners to promote kidney cancer awareness and encourage regular physicals. H.R. 123 awaits action in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

In order to improve the quality of healthcare services for individuals afflicted by kidney disease, on February 27, 2007, Representative John Lewis (D-GA) introduced H.R. 1193, the Kidney Care Quality and Education Act, which I have co-sponsored. If enacted, this legislation would create public and patient educational initiatives to increase awareness about CKD and provide Medicare coverage for education services for Medicare-eligible patients. H.R. 1193 would establish uniform training for patient care dialysis technicians. H.R. 1193 would also create a three-year continuous quality improvement initiative where renal dialysis facilities, providers of services, and physicians who treat endstage renal disease (ESRD) patients would be compensated based on demonstrative quality-of-life improvements. H.R. 1192 awaits action in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

There are 95,075 individuals in the United States on the national organ transplant waiting list. An individual’s decision to donate their organs can save and enhance the lives of over one hundred people. In 2006, more than 500,000 Americans were saved by organ transplants. Therefore, on March 29, 2007, Representative Pete Stark (D-CA) introduced H.R. 1764, the William H. Frist Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act of 2007, which I have co-sponsored. If enacted, this legislation would direct the Secretary of the Treasury to design a bronze medal to commemorate organ donors and their families. This legislation would allow the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide duplicates of the medal to organ transplant recipients. Presently, H.R. 1764 awaits action in the House Financial Services Committee.

As a member of the Kidney Cancer Congressional Caucus, I am committed to ensuring steps are taken to help promote the importance of regular visits to the doctor and support those afflicted with kidney cancer disease. I understand the importance of placing an emphasis on preventative care and early treatment -- because an ounce of prevention is worth far more than a pound of cure. The more diligently we work to prevent these conditions or attack them in their earliest stages, the less we will have to cope with in the future.

Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) is the Chairman of the House Republican Policy Committee and a member of the Kidney Cancer Congressional Caucus.