Our Blog – AAKP

August 14 is Global Yoga Therapy Day

August 8, 2019

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.

AAKP 2019 National Patient Meeting – Meet the Planning Committee: Renee Bova-Collis

July 2, 2019

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.

AAKP 2019 National Patient Meeting – Meet the Planning Committee: Nancy Uhland, NP

June 25, 2019

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.

AAKP 2019 National Patient Meeting – Meet The Planning Committee: Patrick Gee

April 23, 2019

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.

AAKP 2019 National Patient Meeting – Meet the Planning Committee: Daronta Briggs

March 10, 2019

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.

Walking For Kidney Transplants

February 6, 2019

By Jim Myers, AAKP Board Member, Ambassador Posted: February 5, 2019 I have often been asked why I take such long walks. I was in my transplant doctor’s office a few months back. He gave me that look. You know the look. Like that look your Dad used too give you before the stern lecture was coming. The serious discussion lecture. He told me I was not getting enough exercise, and I should try to get out more. He suggested walking. I’ve never been an athlete. I have avoided exercise in the past. I’ve always been an academic. I hated gym class. But I knew he was right.

Message From AAKP President: Winter 2019

February 1, 2019

Welcome to 2019! As we enter the new year, I want to thank AAKP’s professional staff as well as our loyal patients, caregivers, and professional members for all of their support during a very successful 2018. Also, I want to acknowledge the tremendous support received from our allies and industry partners who embraced the concept of patient engagement and have worked with us to infuse AAKP’s culture further into the renal community. Much of AAKP’s success is built upon the implementation of a National Strategy geared at leveraging our unique position within the renal community.

AAKP AMBASSADOR BRUCE TIPPETS – I’M GOING BACK TO DC FOR THE KIDNEY SUMMIT

January 28, 2019

AAKP Ambassador, Bruce Tippets, a journalist in Utah, shares his excitement in being asked to share his kidney story at AAKP’s Capitol Hill Day in March for National Kidney Awareness Month. Read below. January 28, 2019 –When I checked my email on Jan. 9, I couldn’t believe it, but I was invited to participate March 5-6 at the National Kidney Patient Summit in Washington D.C. by American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). This is the second year in a row, I will be able to represent AAKP at the summit.

AAKP BOD and Ambassador Dave White Describes his Experience at the 2018 Summer Transplant Games of America

August 27, 2018

By AAKP BOD and Ambassador, Dave White Dave White at the Transplant Games of America I heard a supporter yell “Go Maryland!” while I was chugging my way around the last turn into the home stretch. I saw three runners ahead of me and said to myself “oh well, no medal today.

Grayson Lives On – Potter’s Syndrome (posted August 24, 2018)

Grayson Lives On - Potter's Syndrome (posted August 24, 2018)

August 24, 2018

By Kent Bressler, AAKP BOD and Ambassador My nephew, Todd Bressler, is a kind, mellow, hardworking father of three. He and his wife Shanna found out that their fourth child, who they would name Grayson, would be born without kidneys and profoundly limited lung function. When Todd called and told me I thought immediately of Representative Jaime Hererra-Beutler, (R-WA) who received news that their child would be born without kidneys in 2013.