Legislators can help with kidney disease research

To the Editor,

Jill Ziegler, a native of Blytheville, is a 35 year old who now resides in Jonesboro, Arkansas. At the age of 28 she suddenly went into kidney failure due to an ultra rare, genetic disease called atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome. She spent the next 3 years on dialysis. Multiple doctors around the country said a kidney transplant would never be possible. However, in late 2011 a drug called Soliris made a kidney transplant possible. With this drug and a "little help from a high school friend" Jill received a kidney transplant from a living donor, Lindsey. Lindsey is also a resident of Blytheville. The surgery was performed by the University of Iowa. At the end of this month, Jill will celebrate her 4 year kidney transplant. Jill graduated with her Masters degree in occupational therapy from the University of Central Arkansas in Conway in 2005.

Over 26 million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD), yet only 10% are aware they have it. There are more than 450,000 people in the U.S. on dialysis for kidney failure and Medicare spends over $87 billion on the care of people with CKD. Investment in research and programs to improve early detection, slow kidney disease progression and improve access to kidney transplantation is a cost-effective strategy to improve lives and lower health care costs.

While Medicare does not require annual approval by Congress, each year federal funding for other kidney disease programs must be appropriated by Congress. Important work is being done at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), and the Health Services and Resource Administration (HRSA) to advance kidney disease research and improve access to kidney transplantation. However, this work cannot continue nor grow without the continued support of our elected representatives.

I hope your readers will ask our elected officials to expand federal research to save lives, kidneys and money. They can add their voice to the cause by reaching out to their congressional representative at www.kidney.org/takeaction.

Sincerely,

Jill Ziegler

Kidney Action Committee

Jonesboro Arkansas