KIDNEY PATIENTS SHED LIGHT ON DEADLY DISEASE DURING KIDNEY MONTH

KIDNEY PATIENTS SHED LIGHT ON DEADLY DISEASE DURING KIDNEY MONTH

Kidney Patients Alert Public to a Silent Killer - Kidney Disease

Tampa, FL - As the nation recognizes National Kidney Month throughout March, the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is encouraging everyone to take steps to protect their kidneys. AAKP is the oldest and largest kidney patient non-profit organization in the United States. We exist to provide education to patients and their care partners, helping them achieve their best outcomes possible. The numbers are telling:

13 people die each day waiting for a life-saving kidney

Kidney care, including dialysis, costs the American taxpayer over $99 billion per year.

An estimated 26 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD), including more than 600,000 individuals who suffer from complete renal failure which includes those on dialysis or have a functioning kidney transplant.

Today, there are more than 100,000 people on the kidney transplant waiting list.

Kidney disease is often referred to as the silent killer because it often presents no symptoms in its earliest, most treatable phase.   Education, awareness, lifestyle choices and knowing what can cause your kidneys to fail can make a significant difference in preventing kidney disease or slowing its progression.

Paul T. Conway, president of the American Association of Kidney Patients stated, “Kidney disease is a brutal and devastating illness that is often detected too late, increasing the need for life-saving dialysis treatments and kidney transplantation. During National Kidney Month, we encourage Americans to talk to their doctors about their risk for the disease. We also give thanks to every American, especially living kidney donors and those who have signed up to be organ donors, for their generosity and compassion for those whose faith and courage helps them endure the pain and suffering of kidney disease.”

During National Kidney Month, AAKP is taking the opportunity to educate the public about its risks factors for kidney disease. Here’s a look ahead:

On March 8, AAKP is participating in the 3rd Annual Patient Advocacy Day in Washington, DC. AAKP with its partners, the National Kidney Foundation, Alport Syndrome Foundation, Polycyctis Kidney Disease Foundation, IGA Nephropathy Foundation of Americaand NephCure Kidney International to brief elected leaders and their staffs on the need to protect living organ donors and increase funding for kidney disease research.

March 10th is World Kidney Day. AAKP, the American Society of Pediatric Nephrology, the American Society of Nephrology, Polycystic Kidney Foundation,National Renal Administrators Association, Renal Physicians Association, in collaboration with the Congressional Kidney Caucus and Representative Jaime Herrara Beutler is hosting a Congressional Briefing on the impact kidney disease has on children. This event is open to the public. To attend, RSVP atCRDFellow@dc-crd.com.

On March 10th join AAKP for the AAKP HealthLine webinar, Mastering Social Media as a Patient Advocate with social media expert James Myers. Mr. Myers was the first recipient of the AAKP National Social Media Award. He will discuss how people with kidney disease, sharing their story, can increase awareness of the disease. Mr. Myers will share how to get started, how to tap into your networks and how to become your own best advocate. The webinar is 1:00pm – 2:00pm ET. Register online at .

March 18, AAKP will honor the 2016 Medal of Excellence Award Winners.
All 2016 award recipients will be recognized during AAKP's Medal of Excellence Award Dinner, held in conjunction with the Renal Physicians Associations Annual Meeting at the Sheraton Wild Horse Pass Resort & Spa (Chandler, AZ). The AAKP Medal of Excellence is the Association’s highest honor for healthcare professionals. The award recognizes visionaries whose insight and perseverance have led to dramatic advances that improve patient care. The 2016 award winners include:

Physician Category
•         Richard Gibney, MD of Waco, TX
•         Edward Jones, MD, MBA of Philadelphia, PA
Nursing Category
•         Katrina Russell, RN, CCN of Seattle, WA
•         Karen Walton-Brown, RN, BSN, CNN of Dallas, TX
Social Work Category
•         Wendy Funk Schrag, LMSW, ACSW of Newton, KS
Dietitian Category
•         Linda McCann, RN, CSR, LD of Eagle, ID
•         Rita Dimmitt-Solomon, RD, CSR, LDN of Nashville, TN

https://aakp.org/press-release/kidney-patients-shed-light-deadly-disease-kidney-month/