Tampa, Fla., May 21, 2008 - By recognizing the value of local patient support groups, the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is providing patients, through its Web site (www.aakp.org) and various publications, a centralized resource to locate support groups in their communities. This is part of an extension of AAKP's community outreach efforts targeting the need for awareness and promotion of local patient support groups.

"Support groups provide an enormous benefit to patients who seek this type of important patient-to-patient collaboration," said Kris Robinson, AAKP Executive Director/CEO. "During the past few years, AAKP has received many requests regarding the availability of local support groups. This new initiative provides independent support groups with a national resource to promote their efforts while also meeting AAKP's mission of improving the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease."

AAKP has developed a section on its Web site to publicize information about support group activities throughout the U.S., including statewide locations, contact information for support group leaders and the dates, times and locations of meetings. In addition, the site features a section containing helpful hints to assist support groups in their activities, such as how to recruit volunteers, meeting ideas and much more. For those individuals interested in forming an independent support group, a "Support Group Guidebook" is also available.

Existing support groups meeting at least once a month in a designated location such as a hospital, dialysis unit, church or library are listed on the AAKP Web site in addition to being featured periodically in AAKP's magazines. Existing renal related support groups are invited to contact AAKP and provide information about the groups' meetings for posting on the AAKP Web site. AAKP will provide free educational materials to independent support groups to distribute at their local meetings.

"Even with the ease of the Internet, it is challenging to find one reliable source providing information about renal related support groups in all parts of the country. AAKP's goal is to provide patients with comprehensive information about local support groups across the U.S. and in turn, intends to work with local support groups to facilitate increased patient communications," said Roberta Wager, RN, MSN, AAKP President and two time transplant recipient.

In cooperation with AAKP's community outreach initiative, the AAKP Board of Directors recently voted to transition its seven Chapters to independent support groups. This transition allows groups to continue to provide the hands-on education and local support, without maintaining financial and regulatory requirements.

For more information on starting a kidney patient support group in your area or posting information about your existing support group, please contact Jolene Busssiere, Special Projects Coordinator, at (800) 749-AAKP or jbussiere@aakp.org.

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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.