Whereas more than 700,000 people in the United States live with bladder cancer; Whereas more than 81,000 people are expected to be diagnosed with bladder cancer and more than 17,000 will die due to the disease in 2018 alone; Whereas bladder cancer affects people of all ages and backgrounds and is among the top 10 cancers with the highest incidence rates in the United States; Whereas bladder cancer is known as one of the most expensive cancers to treat on a per patient basis, with a recurrence rate of approximately 50 to 80 percent, requiring lifelong surveillance; Whereas bladder cancer symptoms, such as blood in the urine, are easily recognized, however, many are unaware of the threat of bladder cancer, often prolonging the time to diagnosis; Whereas, if diagnosed early, bladder cancer is treatable; Whereas military veterans are twice as likely as nonveterans to be diagnosed with bladder cancer; Whereas women are often diagnosed at a later stage in the development of bladder cancer, and when diagnosed at the same stage as men, women have a worse prognosis; Whereas, if diagnosis and treatment are delayed, the life expectancy of an individual with bladder cancer decreases; Whereas the quality of life of a person with bladder cancer will depend on future treatment and diagnosis developments, which will rely on research advancements; Whereas research advancements for bladder cancer are limited by a lack of awareness about the disease within the medical community and the general public; Whereas increased awareness of bladder cancer will promote early diagnosis and increase the chances of survival; Whereas increased awareness of bladder cancer will bolster public support of the disease and thus increase funding for innovative research and the development of new treatment options and diagnostic tools; Whereas, traditionally, on the first Saturday in May each year, survivors, caregivers, and loved ones walk together throughout the United States to raise awareness of bladder cancer