March, 2015: Kidney Health and Cancer Awareness Month

March, 2015: Kidney Health and Cancer Awareness Month

WHEREAS, more than 900,000 Michigan citizens over the age of 20 have chronic kidney disease, and an even greater number are at risk for developing the disease; and,

WHEREAS, healthy kidneys are essential for regulating our bodies by removing fluids, waste, and toxins; kidneys release hormones that help regulate blood pressure, produce red blood cells and strengthen our bones; and,

WHEREAS, the precise cause of kidney cancer is unknown, however the two main causes of kidney failure are diabetes and high blood pressure; diabetes and high blood pressure are responsible for more than 70 percent of all kidney failure cases, showing that kidney failure and disease can often be delayed or prevented; and,

WHEREAS, advances in diagnosis and procedures such as radiation and chemotherapy create opportunity for kidney cancer patients to live longer; more than 200,000 kidney cancer survivors live in the United States today; and,

WHEREAS, during Kidney Health and Cancer Awareness Month , we ask the citizens of Michigan to raise awareness and encourage regular screenings of all patients with diabetes and hypertension for chronic kidney disease—if detected early, treatment is likely more effective;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Rick Snyder, governor of Michigan, do hereby proclaim March 2015 as Kidney Health and Cancer Awareness Month in Michigan.