Tampa, FL – The American Association of Kidney Patients has accepted an endowment from the Network of New England Board of Directors to establish the Jenny Kitsen Patient Safety Award and continue the patient safety work of the nonprofit organization led by Jenny Kitsen. The Award will fund an annual lecture that will advance patient safety by exploring innovation in health systems management.

The $150,000 endowment will support an annual lecture or presentation that advances patient safety. Patients who undergo dialysis treatment have an increased risk for getting a health care-associated infection (HAI). Hemodialysis patients have weakened immune systems, which increase their risk for infection, and they sometimes require frequent hospitalizations and surgery where they might acquire an infection.

“AAKP is thankful for being awarded this $150,000 endowment”, stated AAKP President Sam Pederson. “This generous donation is a reflection of the commitment to patient safety, patient empowerment, and patient care that Ms. Kitsen has championed throughout her career and what the patients, staff, and volunteer boards of the ESRD Network of New England fostered throughout its 35 year history. AAKP is honored to be given this endowment, which is named in honor of Jenny Kitsen, and to continue the work of the Network of New England which was known for its leadership in patient safety.”

Among the organizations eligible to apply for the Award are 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(6) organizations , public and government agencies, and many other organizations and institutions. The deadline for grant applications for the 2015 calendar year is July 31, 2014.

AAKP was founded in 1969 by a group of six kidney patients. Celebrating its 45^th Anniversary, AAKP has evolved to be the primary source of advocacy, education, and interaction for chronic kidney disease patients, ESRD patients and kidney transplant recipients, as well as the families and professionals who support them in improving their health and their lives.

For more information on the Jenny Kitsen Patient Safety Award, call AAKP at 1-800-749-22571-800-749-2257 or download the award application by clicking on the download button at the bottom of the screen. To learn more about the American Association of Kidney Patients visit www.aakp.org.

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.