Nephrology Nurses Week

WHEREAS, nearly 20 million Americans suffer from kidney disease, and every year, many Alabama citizens, including children, adults and elderly individuals, are diagnosed with kidney disease; and

WHEREAS, the depth and breadth of the nephrology nursing profession meets the different and emerging kidney disease and other health care needs of the population of Alabama; and

WHEREAS, the American Nephrology Nurses’ Association is working to advance quality care to Americans with kidney disease before they suffer complete organ failure, increase awareness in local communities, positively influence patient outcomes and keep nephrology nurses abreast of the latest treatments and kidney-related research; and

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

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

WHEREAS, more qualified nephrology nurses will be needed in the future to meet the increasingly complex needs of patients who are experiencing, or are at risk for, kidney disease; and

WHEREAS, the week of September 8 through September 14, 2013, has been designated as Nephrology Nurses Week with the theme “You Make the Difference” to celebrate and honor the unselfish work nephrology nurses perform each day to maintain the health of thousands of individuals with kidney disease:

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of Alabama, do hereby proclaim the week of September 8 through September 14, 2013, as

Nephrology Nurses Week

in the state of Alabama.