TAMPA, Fla. June 26, 2006 – Twenty years ago next month, Kris Robinson, the Executive Director/CEO of the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), underwent a life saving procedure. In 1986, Kris received a living related kidney transplant from her father. Kris joined the AAKP staff in 1990. Since that time she has dedicated herself 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.

Kris grew up in the Tampa Bay are. After graduating from high school, she went on to the University of Florida to study advertising. The summer before her senior year, she learned the one kidney she was born with was failing. “It hardly seemed fair to receive such devastating news,” says Robinson. “But my kidney failure and ultimate transplant has made me the woman I am today. I have learned valuable lessons about love, devotion, strength, leadership, fear and courage that I may never have totally known otherwise.”

Kris is not only a leader in the Tampa Bay community, but also on the national level. She was recently appointed by U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Michael O. Leavitt to serve on the HHS Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation (ACOT). Among other responsibilities, the Committee advises the Secretary on ways to increase both living and deceased organ donation.

Kris story is a testament to her personal strength and her unwavering commitment to the thousands in the Bay Area, and millions more across America, who live with a chronic illness. We are sure her story can teach others the importance of testing for renal disease and inspire thousands to consider organ donation.

Join AAKP in celebrating Kris’ 20th year anniversary and our 33rd Annual Convention to be held in Orlando, Florida. If you would like to speak to Kris about her successful kidney transplant, her work with the HHS Advisory Board or AAKP’s Convention, please call the National Office at 813-636-8100 or 1-800-749-2257.

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.