As cases of Type 2 diabetes increase, so do the instances of kidney failure. People are entering dialysis at younger ages than ever before, and medical professionals look to the rising rates of Type 2 diabetes as the primary cause.

Jill Bennett, nurse manager at the Western New York Kidney Center in Kenmore, where Hetzel is treated, said the center has grown to treat about 80 patients per week at 15 dialysis stations since opening in 1994.

"We're seeing a lot more middle-aged patients coming in now, people needing treatment as they age," Bennett said. "There are a lot of patients that have diabetes or hypertension that have to come here in addition to their other treatments."

As always, a reminder that nothing is more important than your health.