AAKP News of the Month: AAKP Membership Special Offer
For a limited time, AAKP is offering two Premiere Patient/Family Memberships for $30. This means you only pay $5 for a second membership!
You can use this offer to give the gift of AAKP membership to two friends or family members, or you may give one gift membership and renew your own AAKP membership.
To take advantage of this special offer, please contact AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP or visit the AAKP Web site. |
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| Join AAKP! |
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| Register for AAKP's Annual Convention |
Registration for AAKP's 36th Annual Convention is now open! The Convention is held Sept. 3 - 5, in Denver, CO, at the Hyatt Regency Denver.
Full Convention packages include 3 days of educational sessions, a t-shirt, tote bag, binder, two breakfasts, tickets to social events and meals and admission to the Exhibit Hall.
For more information about registering for the 2009 Annual Convention, please contact AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP or visit the AAKP Web site. You may also download the registration brochure online. |
| Many People Want to Donate Organs, But Few Actually Do |
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 A recent online survey found most Americans say they want to donate their organs, but only 38 percent of licensed drivers are registered to do so. Nearly 72 percent of Americans stated they wanted to donate their organs after death, even if their family disagrees, which is a large disparity between individuals who actually register as an organ donor.
The survey also found misconception and confusion about organ donation registration. About 23 percent of those surveyed were reluctant to donate because they were not sure they would be an acceptable donor, while 50 percent of individuals surveyed believed doctors would not try as hard to save their life if they are an organ donor.
AAKP fully supports organ donation and encourages all individuals to register as an organ donor. Organ donation saves lives. |
U.S. Declares Public Health Emergency Over Swine Flu
The United States declared a public health emergency amid an outbreak of the swine flue. The numbers of individuals affected by the flu continues to rise. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working very closely with officials in states where human cases of swine flu have been identified, as well as with health officials in Mexico, Canada and the World Health Organization.
Here is a list of links for more information about the swine flu:
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| Rural Kidney Failure Patients Have No Transplant Disadvantage |
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The study results suggest efforts to improve access to transplantation should not focus on populations defined by residence location only. It also appears rural kidney failure patients may be more motivated to pursue transplantation because it is difficult to get to a dialysis center. |
| aakpRENALIFE Features Article about Living Donation |
The May 2009 issue of aakpRENALIFE includes a heart-warming story about an  altruistic kidney donor chain and how it affected the lives of several individuals. Matt Jones shares his experience of being a living kidney donor and talks about how altruistic kidney donation works.
The May 2009 issue of aakpRENALIFE is now available online. To receive a hard copy of the magazine, please contact AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP. |
| Transplantation and Your Oral Health |
 The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) aims to raise awareness among organ transplant patients about their increased risk for oral health problems and steps they can take to keep their mouth healthy. The NIDCR developed a fact sheet, titled Organ Transplantation and Your Mouth, to identify important types of dental care for pre- and post-transplant patients.
Here are some tips to keep your mouth healthy:
- Take care of cavities, gingivitis, gum disease and any other mouth problems before your transplantation.
- Manage and treat mouth infections, which may occur post-transplant because of anti-rejection medications.
- Make sure your dentist knows you are a transplant patient.
- Brush and floss every day.
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 Astellas Pharma US, Inc. is proud to sponsor this edition of Kidney Transplant Today. | |
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A study in the Journal of the American Medical Association reported kidney failure 