The American Association of Kidney Patients is kicking off National Kidney Month by participating in a Kidney Patient Summit on March 3-4. More than 70 kidney patients and caregivers representing several states will meet with Congressional representatives and staff members and highlight issues specific to kidney patients and their families. Participants represent several kidney patient advocacy groups including the National Kidney Foundation, Alport Syndrome Foundation, IGA Nephropathy Foundation of America, the Nephcure Foundation and PKD Foundation.
“Never before has there been a time more important than this to speak up about the issues affecting the quality of life of the nation’s kidney patients”, said AAKP President Sam Pederson. “The goal of this Kidney Patient Summit is to bring kidney disease awareness to the men and women who represent us in Washington, DC. We want to give them a real sense of how this disease affects our everyday lives.”
The Kidney Patient Summit is an excellent opportunity to increase patient awareness of legislative issues, foster relationships with congressional offices, and gain real-life education in the practical aspects of patient advocacy.
The Patient Summit activities, which span two days, include educational sessions on effective advocacy and lobby techniques, briefings on legislative issues currently before Congress and a full day on Capitol Hill meeting with legislators and their staff.
With more than 26 million people affected by kidney disease, kidney disease is by no means a rare or marginal problem”, said AAKP Executive Director Gary Green. “It is crucial for our elected officials in Washington to hear from patients and families about their experiences. Their stories are powerful and help to give all patients a voice about the need for access to high quality, affordable health care and the continuing support for research.”
AAKP is a national non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life for kidney patients through education, advocacy and patient to patient support. We are recognized as the leader for patient-centered kidney health education. We believe patients who understand their disease, and who work with their health care team, have a better quality of health and greater quality of life. We bring over 45 years of experience educating and advocating for kidney wellness.
AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for 45 years, has been dedicated to improving the quality of life of kidney patients through education, advocacy and the fostering of patient communities. 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.
