Tampa, Fla., August 6, 2009 - William “Muddy” Waters is a former U.S. Marine who served three tours in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. He’s a fighter, survivor and now a kidney patient advocate. The 72-year old Canyon City, Colo., resident suffers from chronic kidney disease (CKD). Waters and more than 200 other kidney disease patients, family members and health care providers are meeting Sept. 3-5 at the Hyatt Regency Denver for the 36th Annual American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) National Convention. AAKP is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to help kidney patients and their family members deal with the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease.

It is estimated 26 million Americans suffer from CKD, and another 20 million are at an increased risk of developing the disease. CKD is a condition in which the small blood vessels in the kidneys are damaged, making the kidneys unable to do their job. Waste then builds up in the blood, harming the body. It can lead to complete renal failure, also known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Diabetes and hypertension are the leading two causes of kidney disease.

In 1986, doctors discovered protein in Waters’ urine – a symptom of kidney disease. In 2004 he lost all kidney function – ESRD – and started dialysis treatment to stay alive. Three years later, in March 2007, he was fortunate to receive a new kidney from a deceased donor at Porter Adventist Hospital. At the time, there were 70,000 Americans on the transplant waiting list for a new kidney. Today, according to the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS), there are more than 102,000 people on the transplant waiting list – more than 85,000 are waiting on a new kidney. In Colorado, more than 1,200 people are waiting on a new kidney.

Patients like Waters come to the AAKP Convention to learn more about kidney disease, receive the latest information on treatment options, meet one-on-one with world renowned health care professionals and interact with other people from across the country who have similar medical conditions.

For more information about “Muddy” Waters and the AAKP National Convention, visit www.aakp.org/events/convention/2009 or call AAKP at (800) 749-2257. The Hyatt Regency Denver is located at 650 15th Street, Denver.

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AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for 40 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.