Tampa, Fla., January 11, 2010 – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is pleased to announce an updated version of the popular patient education brochure, The Iron Story is now available. This brochure provides information, specifically for dialysis patients, regarding the importance of iron, as well as the effects of having too little iron in the body. In addition, it describes anemia and how it affects the kidneys. The Iron Story discusses the importance of intravenous (IV) iron usage and the role of erythropoietin stimulating agent (ESA) to keep blood count high and prevent anemia.

“We get thousands of calls, emails and fax requests from patients and health care workers asking for information on iron and anemia,” stated AAKP President Roberta Wager, RN, MSN. “To my knowledge, The Iron Story is the best piece of information available that gives patients a basic understanding of how iron deficiency can lead to anemia and how anemia can prevent individuals from living productive lives.”

The Iron Story is FREE to patients and health care workers. To receive a copy call AAKP at 1-800-749-2257. The brochure can also be downloaded from the AAKP Web site www.aakp.org/brochures/iron-story. A Spanish version of The Iron Story can also be downloaded from the AAKP Web site. The brochure is made possible by an educational grant from Fresenius Medical Care North America.

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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.