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| AAKP News of the Month: Become an AAKP Legacy Donor!
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Take this opportunity today to join the Samuel Orenstein Legacy Donor program. Your tax-deductible gift helps support AAKP's educational material, advocacy and its community awareness programs that help improve the lives of kidney patients and their families.
Legacy Donors receive special recognition in aakpRENALIFE, a free membership (with a monthly donation of $30 or more a month) and special invitations to programs and events hosted in your area.
For more information about the Samuel Orenstein Legacy Donor program, please visit the AAKP Web site or contact AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP. |
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| Women With CKD More Likely to Go Undiagnosed |
 New findings show women are at risk of their primary care physicians delaying diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (CKD). To measure kidney function, primary care doctors typically order a blood test called creatinine, but this alone is not an accurate measure of kidney function. According to lead researcher Dr. Maya Rao, the creatinine should also be plugged into a formula that gives the estimated kidney filtration rate (eGFR). Women have a lower eGFR than men for the same level of creatinine, so a creatinine level that is normal for a man can mean reduced kidney function in a woman. |
| Healthy Lifestyle Reduces Risk of Chronic Conditions |
 Researchers at the Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta studied data from over 25,000 adults ages 35 to 65. They found that never smoking, having a body mass index lower than 30, doing physical activity for at least three and a half hours per week and following a healthy diet reduces the risk of developing Type 2 diabetes by 93 percent.
These four factors also showed an 81 percent reduced risk of heart attack, 50 percent reduced risk of stroke and 36 percent reduced risk of cancer. According to the author, "This research confirms what we already know - a healthy lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight is the key to reducing the risk of long term health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes." The study appears in the Archives of Internal Medicines. |
| Submit Your Entry for the AAKP Artwork Contest |
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AAKP is pleased to host an Artwork Contest in honor of the upcoming National Kidney Month (March). The goal of this artwork contest is to allow individuals to demonstrate, through their artwork, how kidney disease has affected them and help raise awareness of this chronic disease.
Artwork must be submitted by February 26, 2010 to be eligible. Artwork is publicly judged during National Kidney Month and will be displayed on the AAKP Web site from March 15 - April 15. Winners are announced in April. Entries must adhere to the contest/artwork guidelines and be accompanied by an official entry form.
The top three selected pieces of artwork will be turned into all occasion greeting cards and be offered by AAKP as an Association fundraiser. Winners will receive a complimentary pack of their artwork greeting card along with an award certificate for their accomplishments. Please contact AAKP at (800) 749-2257 or info@aakp.org for questions. |
| The Facts About Alzheimer's Disease |
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a relatively common condition whose prevalence rises rapidly with age. Individuals with CKD are at a higher risk for development of perception, memory, judgment and reasoning loss - all of which are associated with Alzheimer's disease. In the December issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Magazine, Dr. Sam Fazio gives the facts about Alzheimer's disease. To view the full issue, go to http://www.aakp.org/newsletters/KB-The-Magazine/. |
| New Blood Pressure Drug Shows Promise |
| As many as 30 percent of patients with hypertension fail to achieve their target blood pressure levels with treatment. An experimental drug called darusentan may help them hit their goals. The drug works by blocking the production of amino acids within the walls of the artery. When these amino acids are blocked, the arteries relax and blood pressure drops. Participants in a study for the drug experienced significant reductions in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. |
| Shop Online This Holiday Season and Support AAKP |
 Please make every dollar count this holiday season. More than 1,300 stores including Amazon, Toys R Us, Best Buy, Apple, Gap and more will donate a percentage of virtually every sale to a non-profit organization when you shop using GoodShop.com.
Just visit GoodShop.com and type 'American Association of Kidney Patients' in the window for the cause you support. You pay nothing extra - and you can even save money as GoodShop lists thousands of money-saving coupons and free shipping offers.
Or, add our toolbar to your browser at http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar - and your purchases will count even if you forget to go to GoodShop first! There's no easier way to support AAKP this holiday season! Please spread the word! |
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