FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 26, 2019
WALK FOR KIDNEY DISEASE AWARENESS
Largest kidney patient organization in U.S. hosts Fun Walk in Tampa Bay
Tampa, FL – The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP), the oldest and largest fully independent kidney patient organization in the U.S., which is also headquartered locally in Tampa, FL, will hold a Fun Walk on Saturday, December 7, 2019 at Lowry Park in Tampa. Join in to make a difference for kidney patients worldwide!
The AAKP Fun Walk will begin at 8 a.m. at shelter #115 with registration, check-in and announcements. The one-mile walk will kick-off promptly at 9:45 a.m. and the event will end at noon. Registration is $25 per individual walker in advance or $35 day-of. Register online at www.aakp.org/fun-walk. For anyone unable to attend the AAKP Fun Walk in person, there is also a virtual participation option. All registrants will receive a Fun Walk tote bag and t-shirt. Proceeds from the AAKP Fun Walk will benefit AAKP’s education and advocacy programs for individuals affected by kidney diseases.
“I invite the community to come out for this event to help raise awareness of this chronic disease that affects so many people, from all walks of life, including myself,” says AAKP Ambassador and Fun Walk Planning Committee Member, Gabi Morales. “I was diagnosed with kidney disease at birth and do Peritoneal Dialysis every day at home for nine hours at night. AAKP helps educate and activate kidney patients; they give a voice to the millions suffering. This walk is an opportunity to unite a larger community and help make a difference.”
This year’s AAKP Fun Walk is a celebration of AAKP’s 50th Anniversary. AAKP was founded in 1969 by six dialysis patients and has grown into a national non-profit organization that reaches one million individuals affected by kidney diseases annually through its various communication platforms, educational programs and advocacy efforts. AAKP is unique as it’s the only kidney patient organization in the U.S. founded by patients, for patients and led by a majority patient Board of Directors. AAKP is dedicated to improving the quality of life and long-term outcomes for kidney patients through education, advocacy, patient engagement and the fostering of patient communities – we fight for early detection; increased kidney transplantation and pre-emptive transplantation; full patient choice of either at-home or in-center dialysis; protection of the patient/physician relationship; promotion of research and innovation; and the elimination of barriers for patient access to available treatment options.
Participants in this year’s Fun Walk are encouraged to dress as their favorite decade to help celebrate this milestone anniversary for the Association. This family-friendly community event will feature a variety of vendors. The Tampa Bay Antique Vehicle Association will also have vehicles on display.
Sponsors of the 2019 AAKP Fun Walk include: Relypsa, Inc.; Horizon Therapeutics; Backpack Health; Nestle Health Science; VidaFuel; Orange Theory Fitness; and Big Truck Company.
Kidney Disease by the Numbers
In Florida
- 2,901,941 Floridians diagnosed with kidney disease
- 31,491 Floridians are on dialysis
- 43,988 Floridians are diagnosed with kidney failure and need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live
- 12,339 Floridians have a kidney transplant
- 4,548 Floridians are waiting for a kidney transplant
Across the U.S.
- Kidney disease is the 9th leading cause of death in U.S. adults
- More than 40 million Americans are living with kidney disease
- More than 700,000 Americans have kidney failure and need dialysis or a kidney transplant to live
- Approximately 850 million people worldwide have kidney disease
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Founded in 1969 by kidney patients, AAKP is the oldest and largest fully independent kidney patient organization in America. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, AAKP offers advocacy and educational programs, along with patient engagement and research opportunities to patients and care partners worldwide. AAKP offers FREE membership to kidney patients, family members and living donors. Learn more about AAKP at www.AAKP.org or email info@aakp.org.
Follow AAKP on social media at:
Facebook: @kidneypatient
Twitter and Instagram: @kidneypatients
Media Contact: Deborah Pelaez, Marketing and Communications Manager
dpelaez@aakp.org ; 813-400-2394
