TAMPA, Fla. July 24, 2006– The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) has reported that during our 2005-06 fiscal year, over one million kidney patients and their families and friends were provided with important health education, information and resources. AAKP employs a variety of methods to accomplish its mission of improving the social, emotional and physical well-being of fellow kidney patients and their families. Our programs stress the importance of patients becoming active members of their healthcare team.

“We have experienced a year of remarkable growth in which more programs were offered to more patients than ever before in our history,” said Executive Director/CEO Kris Robinson. “Our magazines reach as many as 180,000 people annually, our newsletters and 800# reach more than 12,500, and our unique website page views reach more than 71,000 per month. This, in addition to the many thousands of requests we receive for information via telephone and email, the number of people who attend our educational programs, our Chapter activities and our Convention attendees shows we have reached over a million patients and their friends and families. We will continue to provide the best information for kidney patients, and continue to try and reach even more patients in the coming years.”

AAKP programs include the magazines aakpRENALIFE and Kidney Beginnings: The Magazine, a toll-free 800# helpline, www.aakp.org, three different electronic newsletters, our book/brochure series, an annual convention attracting over 600 patients and family members, a chapter network and regional educational series.

AAKP will be announcing several new and innovative kidney patient programs in the near future. Please visit our Web site and watch your mail for additional information.

AAKP wishes to thank all of its volunteers, donors and sponsors for a productive year of growth and advancement in reaching and educating fellow kidney patients. Together we make a difference in the future of patients’ lives.

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.