TAMPA, FLA. – Kidney patients, health care providers and friends of the kidney community can now follow the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) on Twitter. Twitter is a free service that allows users to post short messages, or Tweets, that are delivered to friends, customers, colleagues – anyone who has subscribed.

The Association is using this communication tool to inform and educate patients and supporters on the happenings within AAKP and the kidney community. AAKP also hopes to grow its network of supporters and friends. “Social media is at an all time high,” stated AAKP Interim Executive Director Michael Landy. “Embarking on the newer social media outlets allows us to stay in touch with patients and health care providers on a day to day basis. It allows us to notify them on new AAKP programs, events, and it gives AAKP an avenue to share news and information from the medical community on lifestyle and diet, or regarding issues of advocacy with kidney patients with just a few clicks of the mouse.”

There is an estimated 26 million people in the United States who have chronic kidney disease (CKD) – and millions more who are at risk of developing the disease. AAKP is using social networking sites such as Twitter and Facebook to spread kidney disease awareness and to let our network share information faster and with a wider range of individuals.

To follow AAKP on Twitter, visit twitter.com/KidneyPatients. The first 100 followers will receive a free AAKP pillbox and a $10 discount off an annual AAKP Premiere Membership.

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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.