Tampa, Fla., May 26, 2009 - It is with sadness the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) announces the death of Former AAKP President and Board Member Joseph D. White of Potomac, MD. Joe died Sunday, May 24, 2009 at home after a long illness. Joe had a extensive history with AAKP, joining the organization in 1984. Joe served as President of the New Jersey Chapter of AAKP. He would later serve as the National Association’s Vice President, and AAKP President for six years. Under his leadership, AAKP created the AAKP Patient Plan series. He was the winner of AAKP NOVA Award and the Samuel Orenstein Award. Joe was a pioneer in the medical and patient advocacy communities, receiving one of the country’s earliest kidney transplants in 1965, which functioned for 19 years, and then another in 1988, which lasted 21 years.

Joe was a great friend to AAKP and the kidney community. He leaves behind a lovely wife, Dorothy Brooks White and two beautiful daughters, Suzanne and Barbara. Viewing services will take place Thursday at the Finger Lakes Family Funeral Home, 45 High Street, Geneva, NY. A mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, May 29th at 10 a.m. at St. Stephens Catholic Church. The family has a block of rooms reserved at the Ramada Lakefront Hotel in Geneva. Call 315-789-0400 and mention the Joe White funeral. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joseph D. White Scholarship Fund at DeSales High School, Geneva, NY.

We join the whole AAKP family in sending the White family our most sincere condolences.