Tampa, Fla., February 2, 2010 – Join the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) and the Arkansas Kidney Disease Commission, Saturday, March 6 as they host a kidney disease education program in Little Rock, AR. The program, Kidney Beginnings: Live, takes place at the I Dodd Wilson Auditorium located on the University of Arkansas campus. The program runs from 9:00 a.m. – Noon.

Kidney Beginnings: Live is one of the Association’s patient education programs. It is designed to teach individuals about the basics of kidney disease and proper kidney care. Kidney Beginnings: Live programs are FREE and last three hours. Programs feature presentations on: what the kidneys are and how they function; managing conditions that may lead to CKD, including diabetes and hypertension; side effects and challenges CKD patients face; and diet management and nutrition.

“Chronic kidney disease affects millions of people in the United States,” stated AAKP President Roberta Wager, RN, MSN. “This is a great opportunity for those living with chronic kidney disease, those at risk of developing kidney disease and the general public to educate themselves about the affects kidney disease has on patients and their family members.”

March is National Kidney Month. More than 26 million Americans suffer from CKD. Diabetes and hypertension are the leading two causes of the disease. Kidney disease patients, those at risk of developing the disease, family members and friends are encouraged to attend the program. Individuals who attend receive complimentary educational materials, learn about kidney disease in a welcoming atmosphere and have the opportunity to have questions answered by local health care professionals.

To register for this event, please call AAKP at (800) 749-2257 or register online at www.aakp.org/events/KB-Live. Directions to the I Dodd Wilson Auditorium are also available on the site. Refreshments will be served.

AAKP would like to thank Amgen Inc. for their support of the Kidney Beginnings: Live program. 
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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.