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Written By: Barbara Abrams for AAKP Kidney Transplant Today The words, “I would like to help you out with your kidney,” jump off the screen and hit me in the face like a knockout punch. Dazed and numb, I feel like a prize fighter who is “Down for the Count.” I slowly drift back to reality. Am I dreaming? Nightmare? Is this a bad joke? I deliberately concentrate on the remaining text emanating from my Facebook page. The next sentence reveals our connection to each other. I have an acquaintance Arline who saw my kidney blog and told her friend Janie about me.

To our Members and Allies: Welcome to 2018! End of 2017 As 2017 came to an end, my very good friend and AAKP Vice President Richard Knight and I shared a unique and deeply emotional honor as AAKP patient advocates, former dialysis patients and as long-time kidney transplant recipients. Together, we were awarded one of the highest honors in the kidney profession – the President’s Medal from the American Society of Nephrology (ASN).

By Laura Levitan, LCSW, FMC West Pensacola I wanted to share with you the Christmas kidney sugar cookies that I made for my dialysis patients because everyone should get a “kidney” for Christmas even if it is grandma’s sugar cookie recipe.   Kindness – pass it on. And, please share it brought many smiles, laughter, and happiness to their faces. Grandma Brososky’s Sugar Cookie Recipe: 1 lb butter 2 1/4 cups sugar 2 teaspoons of your favorite flavor:

Written by Melissa Bensouda – AAKP Ambassador, Missouri Oh how I look forward to the holidays. The smell of pine, caramel lattes and time with the family excite me! The holidays can also be filled with the unexpected and I would love to share with you my tips for survival and fun: First, let’s talk about food. Since I was a little girl, eating has been one of my favorite past times. The smell of turkey, dressing and sweet potato pies during the holidays have always filled my heart and my mouth with joy. Things changed a bit when I started dialysis however.

We have all followed the recent hurricanes that have affected so many Americans. Many of our fellow patients have struggled with the challenges of maintaining their regular dialysis treatments and getting their lives back in order as they faced interruptions in transportation, water shortages and power outages. AAKP wants to help provide you with the most current and reliable information for your post-storm recovery. If you want to learn more about the current situation in Puerto Rico, Texas, and Florida, please visit the following:

A message from the AAKP MAB Chairman To Florida Dialysis Patients A hurricane is coming in a few days, watch the news and optimally try to get out of its path – evacuate if appropriate. Make sure you have enough medications. Immediately after a hurricane, many of the roads to dialysis units may be flooded or blocked, possibly preventing you from receiving your treatment. Please restrict your fluids. Avoid foods containing potassium or salt. Call your dialysis unit hotlines for information regarding the status of your unit. Do not attempt to drive into water on roads.

As a part of our ongoing national strategy of outreach to patients at-risk, AAKP was invited to host a pop-up health session and full exhibit at the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) 108th Annual Convention in Baltimore, MD on July 25 and 26, 2017. At the pop-up session, AAKP’s President Paul T. Conway, Vice President and Chair of Public Policy Richard Knight, AAKP Board Member Dave White and Dr.

AAKP’s Diana Clynes with FRAA President, Amy Kozsuch MSN, MBA, HCM, BSN The AAKP was honored to be invited to present and exhibit at the 2017 Florida Renal Administrators Association Meeting. The FRAA aims to provide a consolidated, focused and multi-disciplinary forum to improve access and quality of care for Florida’s Chronic Kidney Disease patients. Diana Clynes, AAKP Director of Programs and Services, addressed meeting attendees on July 21st, providing an overview of AAKP’s major programs, activities and advocacy initiatives.