TAMPA, Fla. June 18, 2004 – AAKP President Brenda Dyson was quoted in the June 18, 2004 edition of The Wall Street Journal.

The article, titled “In Kidney Quest, New Rules Boost Chances for Blacks,” discussed the low rate of kidney transplantations in African Americans. The article also discussed recently implemented rules to change such trends in kidney transplantation.

AAKP President Brenda Dyson said, “Still the success hasn’t made up for the obstacles that blacks face in getting a transplant. Blacks may be more likely to fall victim to the practices of dialysis centers, which take in some $30,000 a year for each patient and have a disincentive to refer patients for transplant. Federal law requires the centers to inform patients about the possibility of transplantation, but some centers discourage patients by not presenting the idea in a positive light.” 

According to the article, African Americans have a rate of kidney disease four times that of Caucasians. African Americans make up 37 percent of the dialysis population and 35 percent of patients awaiting transplantation. However, they made up only 18 percent of transplants in 2001.

AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for 35 years, has been dedicated to improving the lives of fellow kidney patients and their families by helping them deal with the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease. The programs offered by AAKP inform and inspire patients and their families to better understand their condition, adjust more readily to their circumstances and assume more normal, productive lives in their communities.