Tampa, Fla., January 26, 2009 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) and the University of South Florida’s Black Graduate and Professional Student Organization is inviting the public to participate in the Kidney Failure and the African-American Community educational program. The program seeks to raise awareness about kidney disease in Tampa Bay’s African American communities. Attendees will hear from local dialysis and transplant patients as well as health care professionals.

It is estimated 26 million Americans suffer from chronic kidney disease (CKD). African Americans account for more than 30 percent of those affected by the disease. The leading two causes of kidney disease are diabetes and hypertension, two conditions that dominate the African American community. In recognition of Black History Month, AAKP and USF’s Black Graduate and Professional Student Organization are hosting this program to inform and inspire kidney patients and those at risk of developing kidney disease to get tested for the disease.

“In Florida alone, there are nearly two million people with chronic kidney disease. We are continually looking for community partners to help spread the word about the risk of kidney disease,” stated AAKP President Roberta Wager, RN, MSN. “It is an honor to have USF’s Black Graduate and Professional Student Organization join our efforts.”

“Chronic kidney disease hits close to home for a lot of us,” said Rodrick Colbert, student organizer and member of USF’s Black Graduate and Professional Student Organization. “This is a great opportunity for people to get viable, free information about a disease that affects so many people in the black community. I urge everyone to join us.”

The Kidney Failure and the African-American Community program takes place February 11, 2009, from 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m., on the USF campus at the Marshall Center in room 3707. The event is FREE and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. To register for the event, please visit the AAKP Web site, www.aakp.org/events/KB--live or call 800-749-AAKP. 

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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.