Washington Redskins Players, Kidney Disease Patients, Advocates Unveil National Petition...

Washington Redskins Players, Kidney Disease Patients, Advocates Unveil
National Petition Calling on Congress for Additional Kidney Care Support

- Kidney Disease Affects More than 26 Million Americans and is On the Rise;
Redskins Players and Patients Share Their Personal Stories, Explain Why Better
Education and Quality of Care Measures are Needed; Over 70,000 Sign Nationwide
Petition -

WASHINGTON, June 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- At a briefing on Capitol Hill
today, Washington Redskins tight end Chris Cooley (#47), offensive lineman
Randy Thomas (#77), running back Rock Cartwright (#31) and safety Reed Doughty
(#37) were joined by kidney disease patients, family members and caregivers to
unveil a national petition of more than 70,000 signatures urging Congress to
enact important patient education measures and quality-oriented Medicare
program reforms this year to help improve kidney disease prevention and
treatment. The petition was coordinated by Kidney Care Partners (KCP) -- an
alliance of patient advocates, dialysis professionals, care providers and
manufacturers working together to improve quality of care for individuals with
kidney disease and kidney failure.

"Kidney disease has reached a point of urgency in communities across the
nation, and we are calling on Congress to deliver much-needed information to
patients and better access to care to help address this growing health
crisis," said Dr. Ed Jones, a practicing nephrologist and Chairman of KCP.
"More than 400,000 patients now have kidney failure, and these patients could
have been better prepared for managing their condition -- even potentially
delaying the need for dialysis -- had they had access to important kidney
disease education and care resources earlier."

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) impacts more than 26 million Americans
nationwide, and most are not aware that they have it. Another 20 million are
at increased risk for developing kidney disease, and common CKD risk factors
such as diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity continue to drive its rates
higher across the nation and worldwide. When left untreated, CKD will
progress to end stage renal disease (ESRD), commonly known as kidney failure.
ESRD is an irreversible condition which is fatal without a kidney transplant
or lifesaving dialysis treatments.

The kidney community endorses vital legislation -- The Kidney Care Quality and
Education Act -- which would improve patient education, kidney care quality
and kidney disease prevention initiatives, as well as create a much-need
annual update for dialysis care. The community applauds the efforts of the
Senate for proposing Medicare legislation that includes these critical
reforms.

"I am proud to be united with the 70,000 concerned patients, doctors and
others who signed this petition, and who are raising their voices today on
behalf of the millions of people living with kidney disease in our country,"
said Redskin player Reed Doughty. "It is disheartening that a disease
affecting so many people doesn't receive more attention -- and I hope that our
collaboration on this petition to Congress will help change that."

The KCP community petition generated the more than 70,000 signatures from
supporters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. With the rising
incidence of kidney disease, and the number of individuals with kidney failure
expected to double in the next ten years, the KCP petition calls for Congress
to pass important CKD Medicare program improvements including quality-oriented
changes and awareness building initiatives, including:

-- Programs to educate the public and at-risk communities about the
dangers
and warning signs of kidney disease
-- Pre-dialysis education for individuals with kidney disease to help
slow
progression of CKD and its complications and prepare for treatment
after
kidney failure
-- Program reforms to maintain patient access to high quality care by
providing annual inflation adjustments for dialysis like those for all
other Medicare providers

"The most effective way to slow the rapidly growing incidence of kidney
disease in America is through early detection and education," added Jones. "We
encourage lawmakers to recognize this public health crisis and take decisive
action during this legislative session."

About Kidney Care Partners
Kidney Care Partners is an alliance of patient advocates, dialysis
professionals, providers and manufacturers working together to improve the
quality of care for individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

SOURCE Kidney Care Partners

Jenn Lawson, +1-703-548-0019, for Kidney Care Partners