Tampa, Fla., Sept. 9, 2008 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) would like to thank patients, renal professionals, sponsors and exhibitors for making the 35th Annual AAKP National Convention a huge success. Three hundred patients, family members and renal professionals gathered in Washington, D.C., Aug. 28-31, to participate in the event.

The AAKP National Convention is the largest event of its kind where patients and renal professionals gather for four days of educational sessions and exciting social events. Educational sessions included Maintaining Adequate Nutrition with Chronic Kidney Disease, Considering It All: Your Dialysis Options and How Does the Transplant Waiting List Work? And for the first time a patient led session, titled Understanding Patients: Helpful Hints for Healthcare Professionals. This session gave tips on how healthcare professionals and patients can improve their relationships with one another.

AAKP also recognized several patients and an organization that have made significant contributions to the kidney community. Nominations were received from across the country from both renal professionals and patients. The awards were presented during the Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony. Winners included:

Kelly M. Mayo, MS - Tampa, Fla. (Samuel J. Orenstein Award)
Carolyn G. Price - Jackson, Miss. (Josephine Berman Award)
Amy L. Friedman, MD, FACS - Syracuse, NY (Peter Lundin, MD Award)
Jess Arceneaux - Tequesta, Fla. (President's Award)
FMQAI Network 7 - Tampa, Fla. (Dominick Gentile Award)
Jennifer Weil, MD - Phoenix, Ariz. (Maureen Lundin aakpRENALIFE Award)

“This year was an exceptionally exciting and tough year for our judges,” stated AAKP President Roberta Wager, RN, MSN. “We had many strong contenders in each category. It’s comforting to me to see so many kidney patients and professionals making strong impacts in their communities.” To view a complete list of award winners, visit the AAKP Web site.

AAKP is also pleased to announce the next Annual Convention is taking place Aug. 27 – 30, 2009 in Denver, Colo. Convention information will be posted on the AAKP Web site as it becomes available. To be placed on the Convention mailing list, call (800) 749-AAKP or send in email to info@aakp.org. You can see pictures from the 2008 Convention on the AAKP Web site.

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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.