Governor Proclaims Kidney Cancer Awareness Day

July 14th: Green Ribbon Awareness Day

(PRWEB) July 15, 2004 -- The Kidney Cancer Association announced today that Governor Rod Blagojevich has proclaimed Saturday, July 24, 2004 as GREEN RIBBON AWARENESS DAY in the State of Illinois. The Green Ribbon symbolizes support for kidney cancer patients, survivors, and researchers throughout the world. With this proclamation, The Illinois Governor encourages all citizens to recognize the risk factors and symptoms of kidney cancer so that, we may begin to reduce its devastating impact."

It is gratifying for kidney cancer to be recognized in this way by the State of Illinois," said William P. Bro, CEO of the Kidney Cancer Association. GREEN RIBBON AWARENESS DAY falls on the second day of the Kidney Cancer Associations Twelfth Annual Patient and Survivor Conference. The national conference attracts patients, survivors, and caregivers from across the United States who will travel to Chicago to learn about the latest treatment options for kidney cancer patients from the nations leading physician experts in kidney cancer. The conference will be held at the OHare Hilton Hotel.

Each year, more than 32,000 people are diagnosed with kidney cancer, and about 11,000 people will die from the disease. While the cause of kidney cancer is unknown, smoking and obesity have been identified by the National Cancer Institute as increasing its likelihood. Symptoms of kidney cancer may include, but not necessarily, blood in the urine, fatigue and low back pain.

Featured speakers at this years conference include Drs. Robert Flanigan, Steven Campbell and Joseph Clark -- all of Loyola University; Dr. Walter Stadler of the University of Chicago; Dr. Nicholas Vogelzang of the Nevada Cancer Institute; Dr. Ronald Bukowski of the Cleveland Clinic Foundation; Dr. Mihir Desai also of the Cleveland Clinic; Dr. Janice Dutcher of Our Lady of Mercy Hospital in the Bronx, New York; Dr. Laura Schmidt of the NCI; David Banks, from the Food and Drug Administration; and Dr. Tony Lu of Loyola.

The Kidney Cancer Association was incorporated in 1990 as a State of Illinois non-profit corporation and is dedicated to serving kidney cancer patients, caregivers, survivors and physicians worldwide. The Kidney Cancer Association actively works to increase the survival of kidney cancer patients and improve their care. The Association provides information to patients and physicians; sponsors research on kidney cancer; acts as an advocate on behalf of patients. The mission of the Kidney Cancer Association is A World Without Kidney Cancer.