| AAKP News of the Month: Last Chance to Purchase Medal of Excellence Tickets
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Time is running out to purchase tickets for the Medal of Excellence Award Reception! This year, AAKP recognizes the skills and dedication of Robert W. Schrier, MD. The reception takes place March 22, at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel, in Baltimore, MD.
Tickets are $80 each and can be purchased online or by contacting AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP.
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| AAKP Accepting Nominations for Board of Directors |
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AAKP is currently accepting nominations for the 2009-2010 National Board of Directors. The elections are held in July, with new members seated at AAKP's Annual Convention in September. Board members serve two-year terms. The deadline to submit nominations is May 22, 2009.
The AAKP Board of Directors is responsible for establishing goals and policies for the Association. Board members must attend three meetings each year, participate in conference calls and committee membership.
For more information about the AAKP Board of Directors or to request a nomination form, please contact AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP or visit the AAKP Web site to download the nomination form. Self nominations are encouraged. |
| Psychological Impact Found in Young Transplant Recipients |
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In the transplant group studied, 65 percent were diagnosed with a lifetime psychiatric disorder, compared to 37.5 percent of the group who had not received a kidney transplant. Transplant recipients also had a higher rate of mood disorders, almost twice the frequency of anxiety disorders and more behavioral disorders of healthy adolescents.
Adolescents with chronic conditions have lower emotional well-being scores, worry more and have poorer body image. They are more socially isolated and have limited opportunities for peer relationships.
These symptoms in adolescence strongly predict an episode of major depression in adulthood. Adolescent transplant patients may be at risk of developing psychiatric disorders even after they are transferred to the adult care system.
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| Check Out AAKP on Facebook and Win a Free Membership |
To acknowledge National Kidney Month, AAKP is offering a free  six month Premiere Patient/Family membership to the first ten people who sign up to be fans of AAKP's Facebook page beginning this month.
Facebook is a social networking Web site devoted to keeping users connected to friends, family members, organizations, colleagues and more. AAKP's Facebook page contains information about upcoming events, membership and educational resources. AAKP 'fans' can also connect with other 'fans' to share experiences and ask questions.
To become a 'fan' of AAKP on Facebook, simply type in 'American Association of Kidney Patients' into the site's search engine and click on AAKP's profile. You may then request to be a fan of the Association. You must be a member of Facebook to participate. |
| AAKP HealthLine Talks Transplant |
AAKP's upcoming HealthLine call, titled Renal Transplantation 101, is a free one- hour conference call for kidney patients and their families. This HealthLine call takes place March 31, from 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. ET, and features presentation by Charles E. Sanders, MD, FACP, a transplant surgeon with LifeLink HealthCare Institute. Attendees also have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the call.
Dr. Sanders discusses the transplant waiting list, the renal transplantation process, preparing yourself for a kidney transplant and more. Attendees have the opportunity to ask questions at the end of the call.
To register for this HealthLine conference call, please contact AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP or visit the AAKP Web site.
This call is sponsored by Astellas Pharma US, Inc. and the LifeLink Foundation. |
| Three States Team Up for Kidney Transplants |
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INTEGRIS Baptist Medical Center in Oklahoma City, The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis worked together to provide kidney transplants to six people who needed them. All six donors and all six organ recipients are in good condition following the procedures.
The domino transplant involves six people donating kidneys to complete strangers. However, the donors are friends or relatives of other recipients with whom they were not compatible for a donation.
The process involved one kidney being flown from Baltimore to Oklahoma City, one from Oklahoma City to St. Louis and one from St. Louis to Baltimore.
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How Time Flies! AAKP Gearing Up for 2009 Convention!
 It's that time of year again! AAKP is busy preparing for its 2009 Annual Convention, which takes place Sept. 3 - Sept. 5, in Denver, Colo., at the Hyatt Regency Denver.
Hotel reservations can be made by calling the Hyatt Regency at (800) 233-1234. To receive the preferred rate of $120 per night, identify yourself as an American Association of Kidney Patients Convention attendee.
AAKP is also accepting nominations for its Annual Awards, given during the Convention's Annual Banquet and Awards Ceremony. The awards will recognize patients, health care professionals, volunteers, caregivers, support groups and more. To download a copy of the nomination form and descriptions of each award, please visit the AAKP Web site. You may also contact AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP to receive a nomination form through the mail. The deadline to submit nominations is June 30, 2009.
Please continue to check the AAKP Web site for more Convention news. | |
| Platelets Play a Role in Transplant Rejection |
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Information about the relationship between platelets and organ rejection began when platelets were observed feeding tissue rejection. Since platelets are part of the sustained and general immune system response, they can trigger or make organ rejection worse because they see the foreign organ as a threat.
More research must be completed to gain more information about the role of platelets and organ rejection. |
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 Astellas Pharma US, Inc. is proud to sponsor this edition of Kidney Transplant Today. | |
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A new study published in Pediatric Transplantation found a 
first 
A new report from John Hopkins University School of Medicine found 