1Designating the week of September 8 through 14, 2013, as
2"Nephrology Nurses Week" and asking all residents of this
3Commonwealth to join in honoring the nephrology nurses who
4care for patients with kidney disease.

5WHEREAS, Nearly 20 million Americans suffer from kidney
6disease and every year many Pennsylvania residents, including
7children, adults and elderly individuals, are diagnosed with
8kidney disease; and

9WHEREAS, The depth and breadth of the nephrology nursing
10profession meet the different and emerging kidney disease and
11other health care needs of the population of this Commonwealth;
12and

13WHEREAS, The American Nephrology Nurses' Association is
14working to advance quality care for Americans with kidney
15disease before they suffer complete organ failure, to increase
16awareness in local communities, to positively influence patient

1outcomes and to keep nephrology nurses abreast of the latest
2treatments and kidney-related research; and

3WHEREAS, Nephrology nurses function as educators, direct
4caregivers and coordinators to help patients manage their lives
5while effectively dealing with health issues; and

6WHEREAS, As the number of new patients diagnosed with kidney
7disease has doubled in each of the last two decades, the demand
8for nephrology nurses will expand, as this trend is expected to
9continue; and

10WHEREAS, More qualified nephrology nurses will be needed to
11meet the increasingly complex needs of patients who are
12experiencing or are at risk for kidney disease; and

13WHEREAS, Along with the American Nephrology Nurses'
14Association, Keystone Chapter 110 has declared the week of
15September 8 through 14, 2013, as Nephrology Nurses Week with the
16theme "Nephrology Nurses Take Action" to celebrate and honor the
17unselfish work nephrology nurses perform each day to maintain
18the health of thousands of individuals with kidney disease;
19therefore be it

20RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives designate the
21week of September 8 through 14, 2013, as "Nephrology Nurses
22Week" and ask all residents of this Commonwealth to join in
23honoring the nephrology nurses who care for patients with kidney
24disease; and be it further

25RESOLVED, That the residents of this Commonwealth celebrate
26nephrology nurses' efforts to advance patient care and reduce
27the incidence of kidney disease and show appreciation for
28nephrology nurses not just during this week but at every
29opportunity throughout the year.