Here at AAKP, we want to wish you and your family a happy and healthy holiday season. This year, AAKP strived to deliver the best, most up-to-date information for kidney patients of all modalities, their families and friends. Through our magazines, brochures and programs, we aim to educate kidney patients and encourage them to be the leaders in their health care.

I can’t believe 2008 is coming to an end. We’ve accomplished so much this year: a successful Annual Convention, educational materials and magazines, AAKP HealthLine and Kidney Beginnings: Live programs. We now have local support group information on the AAKP Web site and in our magazines, and much more.

AAKP supported legislation we believe could dramatically improve and prolong the lives of all kidney patients. Such legislation included bills to support a home hemodialysis pilot program, clarify incentives for organ donation, comprehensive coverage of immunosuppressive drugs for kidney transplants recipients and the creation of a Congressional Medal for organ donors. These programs and resources could help assist thousands of patients in learning more about their illness, selecting a treatment option that best suits there lifestyle and managing their care.

In 2009, AAKP celebrates 40 years of working to improve the lives of kidney patients and their families by helping them deal with the physical, emotional and social impact of the disease. To mark this monumental achievement AAKP will be producing new programs, educational resources for all kidney patients, as well as advancing our efforts to improve public programs and policies that help kidney patients meet their needs, both financially and personally.

As we say good-bye to 2008, AAKP is moving forward to continue fulfilling our mission and touching the lives of kidney patients throughout the country. Seasons greetings and we look forward to hearing from you in 2009!


Kind regards, 


Kim Buettner
Acting Executive Director
American Association of Kidney Patients