SENATE RESOLUTION WOULD RAISE AWARENESS OF
WORST GENETIC DISEASE YOU’VE NEVER HEARD OF

Senators Kohl and Hatch introduce “PKD Awareness Week” Legislation to coincide with Walk for PKD.

(Washington, DC) July 31, 2007 — It may be the worst genetic disease you’ve never heard of, Polycystic Kidney Disease, or PKD. This month, U.S. Senators Herb Kohl (D- WI) and Orrin Hatch (R- UT) introduced legislation aimed to increase awareness nationwide of polycystic kidney disease. (PKD)

PKD is one of the most common, life-threatening, genetic diseases, affecting 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million people worldwide. PKD causes cysts to form on the kidneys. Eventually the kidneys fail. Dialysis and transplantation are the only treatments for kidney failure. There is no cure for PKD.

The “PKD Awareness Week” Resolution (S.Res. 282) will help educate the public about PKD and promote Walk for PKD events that will occur in more than 70 communities across the country during the third weekend in September. The Senate is expected to pass the resolution after members return from the August recess.

“This ‘PKD Awareness Week’ resolution in the U.S. Senate will draw national attention to the plight of American families living with Polycystic Kidney Disease,” said Dan Larson, President and CEO. “It is a very important part of our mission to inform Congress and the public about PKD, encourage their participation in the Walk for PKD, and spur Congressional action toward policies that support clinical research and prevent genetic discrimination.”

The PKD Foundation leads the fight against polycystic kidney disease (PKD) through patient education, advocacy and research funding. In 2007, the PKD Foundation will fund $4.2 million in PKD research. To arrange interviews, contact Media Manager, Jennifer Robinson at 1-800-PKD-CURE or jenniferr@pkdcure.org.