TAMPA, Fla. September 13, 2004 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is pleased to announce the selection of Las Vegas, Nevada as the host city for its 32nd Annual Convention. The event will be held Sept. 1–4, 2005 at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa.

AAKP created its Annual Convention to establish an opportunity for kidney patients, along with their friends and families, to discuss concerns and share experiences while learning about important issues that affect their healthcare. It is the largest national convention where kidney patients are given the opportunity to interact on a person-to-person basis with fellow patients.

During this three-day event, attendees can find educational topics for everyone from those with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to the long-term dialysis or kidney transplant patient, as well as the information regarding the many modalities of treatment for each stage of kidney disease.

“On the heels of our disappointment of having to cancel our 2004 Annual Convention in South Florida due to Hurricane Frances, we can once again feel enthusiastic about AAKP’s future plans. Our dedicated volunteers and staff are already planning what promises to be an outstanding patient convention in Las Vegas in 2005,” said AAKP President Brenda Dyson.

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.