Start the New Year Off Right…join AAKP!

Tiffini Gallant, AAKP Ambassador (Montana)

2026 will be a year dedicated to mindfulness. It can be difficult to think ahead with chronic kidney disease, so I am committed to being present and living for each moment that matters to me and my family.

Physical and mental health are so closely tied together that I often suffer emotionally when my kidney symptoms advance. That’s why I’m devoting 2026 to seeking support, accepting help, and being kind to myself as my kidney disease continues to present problems.

It’s so easy to isolate when you feel miserable and burdensome to others along the chronic kidney disease journey. So, I’m committed to seeking connections among patients and caregivers who can help me stay strong and brave as my disease progresses.

Paul Caine, AAKP International Ambassador (United Kingdom)

I live across the pond, but we shared the same challenge. I am hard to kill and resolute, and now, I hunt what tried to take me! This year, I will up my game and persevere to establish a national living donor recognition event in the UK.

Jim Myers, AAKP Board of Director and Ambassador (Indiana)

I'm starting 2026 by taking care of my health, feeling better, and sharing educational kidney posts on social media! Spreading the word about the AAKP!

Barry H. Smith MD, PhD, AAKP Board of Director (Maine)

For 2026, we need to work to prevent chronic and end-stage kidney disease that is due to the most common of our chronic illnesses - hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.  We, through AAKP, can prevent them — and we will, if we work together.

For 2026, we, as individuals and as AAKP, must work toward making more donor kidneys available for transplantation.  Again, we can do this by working together! That is where real hope lies!!

Christy Stutzke, AAKP Board of Director and Ambassador (Idaho)

I started a weight loss journey in May 2025.

Having reached my goal, I plan to maintain my weight in 2026 & beyond.

Having had a kidney transplant, the importance of maintaining a healthy weight is important to so many components of a transplant.

Heart, kidney health & blood pressure management.

Lisa Baxter, AAKP Ambassador (New York)

In 2026, My arms are open to sharing kidney Issues to promote awareness.

In 2026, I plan to use every gift and talent to spread kidney awareness while walking more to strengthen my legs.

I plan to eat better, feel better, and keep moving.

Elizabeth Oldham, AAKP Ambassador (Ohio)

I will strive to connect more with the dialysis community and increase my participation in lobby days at the local dialysis centers.

Susie Dantzig, AAKP Ambassador (California)

I’m never going to settle down until diseases are prevented, the wait list is 0, and dialysis as we know it is a thing of the past. So, for 2026, I’m going to continue advocating for more research and development of treatments, spreading the word about medical innovations, and supporting policies that advance dialysis alternatives.