WASHINGTON -- Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (MI-11), yesterday, introduced a resolution establishing March as 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.
According to the American Cancer Society, in 2007 more than 36,000 Americans will be diagnosed with kidney cancer; more than 12,000 people will die of the disease; and of the more than 61,000 patients currently waiting for a kidney transplant, only about 14,000 will receive one.
"We must raise the public’s awareness and encourage preventative healthcare to help stop kidney cancer from killing thousands of people each year,” said McCotter, a member of the Congressional Kidney Caucus and the Congressional Cancer Caucus.