Tampa, FL; August 22, 2011 – You are invited to watch the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) Public Policy Forum on the AAKP website, www.aakp.org. The AAKP Public Policy Forum takes place Friday, August 26, 2011 at the William J. Clinton Presidential Center in Little Rock, AR from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Guest speakers include Dr. Barry Straube, former Medical Chief of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services; Skip Rutherford, William J. Clinton Professor and Dean of the University of Arkansas Clinton School of Public Service; Dr. Christopher Blagg, Professor Emeritus of Medicine in the Division of Nephrology at the University of Washington in Seattle and Executive Director Emeritus of the Northwest Kidney Center; Dr. Keith Norris of Charles Drew University of Medicine and Science; Teri Brown, PhD of the Institute for Families and Society; Mary Beth Callahan, ACSW, LCSW, of Dallas Nephrology Associates; Lisa of Hall, MSSW, Northwest Renal Network; and Amanda Miller of the Social Security Administration.

The panel of experts will discuss and debate preventative medicine and health considerations among minority communities who are disproportionately impacted by chronic kidney disease (CKD); disease prevention; potential technology or pharmaceutical advances related to kidney disease; and rehabilitation services.

Immediately following the forum, AAKP will start its Annual Convention at the Little Rock Peabody Hotel. Each year, AAKP hosts the nation’s largest gathering of kidney patients and their families. Hundreds of participants from across the United States attend. The AAKP Annual Convention consists of three days of training, educational seminars and social events designed specifically for kidney patients and their families. Presentations are made on a wide variety of topics – with the speakers being prominent members of the renal community.

In addition to the educational aspects of the meeting, attendees have the unique opportunity to share their experiences and concerns with their fellow kidney patients. The program includes panels of patients to encourage this type of interaction and sessions by mental and social health professionals to cover the emotional and social aspects of living with a chronic condition.

AAKP is still accepting registrations for its Annual Convention. Anyone interested in attending the AAKP National Convention, visit www.aakp.org or call 1-800-749-2257. The AAKP Public Policy Forum will be broadcast live from 9:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on www.aakp.org.

                                                                                  ###
AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for more than 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.