TAMPA, Fla. February 24, 2005 -- Drive excellence in your healthcare by attending the nation’s largest gathering of kidney patients and their families – the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) Annual Convention. This year’s Convention, titled “Quality First: Patients Driving Excellence,” will be held Sept. 1-4 in Las Vegas at the JW Marriott Las Vegas Resort & Spa.

AAKP anticipates its 2005 Annual Convention to be its largest, most successful event to date. AAKP’s Conventions offer attendees a unique opportunity to join and discover important information influencing their healthcare. During this three-day event, patients, along with their families and caregivers, can expect well-rounded topics for chronic kidney disease (CKD), dialysis and kidney transplant patients. In addition, the 2005 Annual Convention gives attendees the opportunity to come together and share their experiences.

The Convention Brochure, available in April, will include a registration form and detailed agenda, along with information on dialysis arrangements and travel discounts. AAKP members will automatically receive the Convention Brochure. To join the Convention mailing list, please send an e-mail to info@aakp.org. For more information, please visit click here.

AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for more than 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.