Kris Robinson died Monday, November 17, 2008.  Raised in the Tampa Bay area of Florida to Jim and Troy Robinson, Kris always had a sunny disposition and a knack for helping those in need. Kris attended the University of Florida where she studied Advertising. She dreamed of one day being an advertising executive. Unfortunately, or fortunately for the those of us in the kidney community, she was pulled in a new direction after recieving a new kidney from her father. 

Kris joined the Communications team at AAKP in 1990. She worked hard, always striving to provide patients with quality information. Kris' hard work and dedication payed off. She was promoted to Executive Director/CEO. This led to several appointments to regional and national health committees including the Health and Human Services Advisory Board on the Demonstration of a Bundled Case-Mix Adjusted Payment System for ESRD Services, Health and Human Services (HHS) Advisory Committee on Organ Transplantation, and various committees for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Ms. Robinson also testified before Congress on healthcare issues, and wrote and spoke frequently on kidney care issues, patient partnership in their healthcare and rehabilitation, legislative issues and managed care.

Doctors diagnosed Kris with cancer in January 2007. She wrote about her diagnosis in the September/October 2007 issue of aakpRENALIFE. In that article she wrote, "I firmly believe, just like with kidney disease, that the mindset is what ultimately helps one to do well with any chronic disease. Being positive, continuing to work or be active and believing that I can do well, has made a huge impact in my treatment." Kris was true to her word throughout her cancer battle, working at AAKP, traveling and spending quality time with friends and family members. To the end, she tried to live her life as an example of what is possible.

Learn more about Kris through her writings:

Defining Moments

Quality Iniatives for Kidney Patients

20 Year Transplant Celebration