March is National Kidney Disease Awareness Month. With over 300,000 Americans on some type of renal replacement therapy, more than 100,000 Americans estimated to start dialysis this year and 20 million Americans with reduced kidney function, the need to educate the general public about kidney disease and its impact is significant.  By 2010 it is estimated the number of dialysis patients will reach 650,000.  It only seems appropriate, that during this month we focus on the importance of healthy education. 

In recognition of March is Kidney Disease Awareness Month, AAKP has several new programs and expansion of existing programs occurring. This is your opportunity to learn and share with others important knowledge about kidney disease. A new Internet newsletter focused on diet will join our four other free monthly newsletters; we’ve expanded our Kidney Beginnings: Live series to many cities around the country; AAKP My Health ™  is an overwhelming success; and yet to be announced are four new national programs to provide you with more resources and greater information.

By knowing all you can about kidney disease, its effects, treatments available and possible long term issues, you can be best prepared to deal with what may come your way.  AAKP is here is provide you and your family with the best resources available in understanding your healthcare.  What is so exciting about the material provided by AAKP is that it is written from a fellow patient perspective.  Therefore, you are receiving information from patients who have traveled the road before you.  Perhaps you know someone who will soon begin dialysis, the chances are great that the “someone” may be related to you.  Share with them the information you find at AAKP.

AAKP has various mediums for you to get information - from brochures and booklets, to monthly internet newsletters, an Annual Convention and even a magazine subscription. There are also support chapters located throughout the United States that are filled with patients just like you, who are eager to share their experiences.  Our programs range from material about chronic kidney disease (CKD) for those who may have learned they have impaired kidney function to long term dialysis and transplant information.

To find out more about the AAKP programs visit the “Program Section” of this Web site.  There you will find an entire listing of our brochures, chapters, Annual Convention information and material from aakpRENALIFE and Kidney Beginnings: The Magazine subscription.

Take time during National Kidney Disease Awareness Month to learn all you can about kidney disease and share this information with others.