Tampa, Fla., March 23, 2009 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is inviting the Tampa Bay community to unwind with some of the best wines from around the world during its Wine Down with AAKP wine tasting event. The tasting takes place Thursday, April 2 at the Cork and Olive® located at 10019 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. #700 in Tampa from 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

AAKP is a national non-profit organization founded and directed by kidney patients. Its mission is to improve the lives of all kidney patients and their family members by helping them deal with the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease. There are nearly two million Floridians suffering from chronic kidney disease (CKD), diabetes and hypertension are the leading two causes of the disease.

“This is an excellent opportunity for members of the Tampa Bay community to support an organization that helps millions of the nation’s kidney disease patients and taste and enjoy some great wines,” stated AAKP’s Executive Director Kim Buettner.

Tasting tickets are $15 in advance and $20 at the door and include light refreshments. Tickets can be purchased by calling 800-749-AAKP or online by clicking here. All proceeds go to AAKP. For more information about the American Association of Kidney Patients’ visit the Association's Web site. AAKP would like to thank Ameriprise Financial for sponsoring this event. 

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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.