WHEREAS, nearly 36 million Americans live with kidney disease and every year many Virginia citizens, including children, adults, and older individuals, are diagnosed with kidney disease; and

WHEREAS, the depth and breadth of the nephrology nursing profession meet the evolving kidney disease needs of Virginia’s population, while nephrology nurses serve as educators, direct caregivers, and coordinators who help patients balance daily life while effectively managing their health conditions; and

WHEREAS, the number of newly diagnosed cases of end-stage kidney disease has increased by 43 percent in the last two decades, and the demand for nephrology nurses will expand as this trend is expected to continue; and

WHEREAS, Nephrology Nurses Week celebrates and honors the altruistic work nephrology nurses perform each day to maintain the health of thousands of individuals with kidney disease;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Abigail D. Spanberger, Governor, do hereby recognize September 13-19, 2026, as NEPHROLOGY NURSES WEEK in the COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.