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By Diana Clynes, Executive Director Washington, D.C. – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) celebrated its 50 Year Anniversary as the oldest and largest fully independent kidney patient organization in the USA with their highest attended National Patient Meeting and awards program in over ten years. The meeting, entitled Driving Innovation & Changing the Status Quo, was held in Washington D.C., September 6-8, 2019.

Have you been diagnosed with kidney disease? If so, you might be eligible for Social Security disability benefits. The Social Security Administration (SSA) offers monthly financial aid for people who are unable to work. Kidney disease does not automatically qualify for benefits, but thousands of people who are out of work for a year or more due to kidney disease may be eligible for assistance. Medically Qualifying with Kidney Disease The SSA maintains its own guide of qualification criteria, known colloquially as the Blue Book.

By Jim Myers, AAKP Board of Director and Ambassador In honor of school days, we are writing today about 5-year-old Henry Whitacre and his mom, Emily. Henry received a kidney transplant at Riley's Children's Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana on July 18th, 2018. We wanted to check in and see how Henry is doing with his first school experiences. Hopefully, we can give first time back-to-school kidney parents some helpful ideas as the school year starts. Read the interview below. We asked: As a parent of a pediatric kidney kid, how are you preparing for the start of school?

By Tish Ganey, 500 RYT (registered yoga teacher) and teacher of Advanced Therapeutic Yoga “If you can breathe, you can do yoga!” That is the slogan of this year’s Global Yoga Therapy Day celebrated on August 14. It highlights the fact that yoga is something you can practice anywhere, anytime. You don’t need special equipment, or yoga outfits, or have the ability to sit cross-legged on the floor. If you can breath, you CAN do yoga! It is as simple as that. Therapeutic yoga is a complementary and alternative therapy that supports patients and caregivers in their everyday lives.

By Trevor Wymer, AAKP Communications Intern Renee Bova-Collis has worked in the field of kidney disease since 1993. As the Patient Services Director at Quality Insights Renal Network 5, Renee is a Social Worker who directly talks to patients offering resources and assistance. Renee was on the AAKP Board of Directors from 2006-2013. She took a leave from her leadership activities with AAKP for a few years in order to care for her mother. This year’s AAKP National Patient Meeting will be her first since 2013. Renee hopes to see old and new faces at the meeting this fall.

By Trevor Wymer, AAKP Communications Intern Nancy Uhland, NP is a family nurse practitioner that specializes in Nephrology for George Washington Medical Faculty Associates. Part of Nancy’s job is to care for many kidney patients, from pre-dialysis to post-transplant. Prior to her current job, Nancy was a Living Donor Coordinator who worked with nephrologists to evaluate people who wanted to be living donors In 2018, she was awarded AAKP’s Medal of Excellence in the Nursing Category.

Patrick Gee (Richmond, VA) experienced kidney failure in April 2013 before beginning dialysis in December of that year. He continued on dialysis for four years, until he received a transplant from a deceased donor in April of 2017. Unfortunately, there were issues with the kidney post-surgery and he underwent additional surgeries until his kidney finally “woke up.” Patrick will celebrate the second anniversary of his kidney transplant in 2019. Patrick has become an advocate for kidney disease because he recognizes that his lifestyle played a huge role in his kidney failure.

Daronta Briggs (Hampton, VA) was diagnosed with kidney disease in early 2008 and began hemodialysis that summer. He continued treatment until 2012, when he received a kidney transplant on October 24th. His journey didn't end there. Being a veteran himself (Gulf War of 1990-91), Daronta finds it very important to spread awareness about kidney disease, especially to veterans. Because of this, he even started his own organization called the Veterans Transplantation Association in August of 2016, in which he implemented a mentorship program for veterans currently on dialysis.