SENATOR HERBERT KOHL HONORED FOR EFFORTS TO RAISE AWARENESS OF PKD

Wisconsin Senator receives PKD Foundation’s Congressional Leadership Award

(Washington, DC) March 20, 2008 —Marking National Kidney Month, Wisconsin Senator Herbert Kohl was awarded the PKD Foundation’s Congressional Leadership Award, for his efforts on behalf of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) patients and their families.

PKD is one of the most common, life-threatening genetic diseases, affecting 600 thousand Americans. PKD causes cysts to form throughout the kidneys and eventually, the kidneys fail. The only treatment options for kidney failure are dialysis or transplantation. There is no cure for PKD.

Senator Kohl, representing the state of Wisconsin, has championed legislation recognizing National PKD Awareness Week in 2006 and 2007. The United States Senate passed the declarations to coincide with the Walk for PKD events in more than 70 cities nationwide during the third weekend of September each year.

“The PKD Foundation applauds and is proud to recognize, the Senior Senator from Wisconsin, Herb Kohl for his efforts on behalf of  600 thousand Americans who suffer from  polycystic kidney disease (PKD),” said PKD Foundation President and CEO, Dan Larson. “By sponsoring the U.S. Senate’s declaration of the third week in September as “PKD Awareness Week”, Senator Kohl’s assistance  in drawing attention to  the plight of American’s who have inherited one of the world’s most common, life-threatening, genetic diseases brings hope and recognition to PKD  families who anxiously await  a PKD treatment or cure,” Larson added.

In addition to his awareness efforts, Senator Kohl has helped to lead the fight to pass genetic non-discrimination legislation and is a key supporter of PKD Foundation policy issues, including more federal funding for PKD research. Senator Kohl’s chief-of-staff accepted the award on his behalf at his Washington, DC office on World Kidney Day, Thursday, March 13.

To arrange interviews contact Senator Kohl’s office at (202) 224-5653 or PKD Foundation Media Manager, Jennifer Robinson at (816) 268-8493 or jenniferr@pkdcure.org.

The non-profit PKD Foundation leads the fight against PKD research through research funding, patient education and advocacy. In 2006, the PKD Foundation will fund $4 million in vital PKD research.