So many causes, so little time

There are so many causes in the world today, and every single one of them is valid and newsworthy. As the saying goes, pick your battles wisely...and I guess that's how we should champion our causes so as not to be totally overwhelmed.

As something hits close to home, it seems we become more passionate about it and embrace it.

Mom came home from dialysis today with a stack full of flyers stating at the top "Make your voice heard to Congress!"

As many of you may have read in an earlier post, I hate politics. I think there are a handful of people pulling all the strings and, at times, the little guy really has no say. However, that does not mean we should give up the fight!

I'd like to get up on this soap box for a few minutes because I do have someone on dialysis with kidney issues.

Try to make the time to log onto http://www.capitolconnect.com/kidneycare/default.aspx.

This is for the Kidney Care Partners Community Petition. Basically, it says that more than 26 million Americans alone suffer from CKD which is Chronic Kidney Disease. Many people do not even know they have it, and if left untreated will more than likely lead to kidney failure and End-Stage Renal Disease.

The numbers are staggering. They project the # of people with kidney failure will DOUBLE over the next ten years.

Most should be covered by Medicare but it appears that this petition is pushing for Congress (my favorite people) to pass kidney-related Medicare reforms which hopefully in the long run will help this problem.

Allegedly, these reforms would

1. Educate the public about kidney disease
2. Give pre-dialysis education in order to slow down the disease, if possible
3. Enhance much needed training for dialysis care technicians
4. Help give kidney patients access to quality treatment without high costs
5. Overall, promote greater awareness about this growing problem

I've seen a dialysis session. I'm there with Mom as she tries to get all the kinks out after sitting in the same position for over four hours...while the tech takes the needles out of her arm....and the bottom line is, if you don't do this, you die.

If we can all band together to get the word out, and try to make a difference, maybe one day we will.

Even if this cause is not one you wish to champion, I hope you sit back, contemplate, and think of a few causes that are near and dear to your heart, and then jump in with both feet, head first!