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| AAKP News of the Month: Join AAKP for Kidney Beginnings: Live!
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Kidney Beginnings: Live is a FREE educational program designed to educate individuals about the basics of kidney disease and proper kidney care. Attendees receive complimentary educational materials, learn about kidney disease in a welcoming atmosphere and have the opportunity to have questions answered by local health care professionals.
Upcoming programs are being held in:
Birmingham, AL; Little Rock, AR; Orlando, FL; and New York.
Please continue to check the AAKP Web site for specific dates and more information. |
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| Worsening Kidneys Linked to Risk of Heart Failure |
| According to a new study, declining kidney function is linked to a higher risk of heart failure, heart attack, peripheral arterial disease, and early death in individuals with or without kidney disease. Researchers studied clinical information from individuals who were enrolled in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a community-based study of elderly people. Using a new blood test of kidney function, called cystatin C, the researchers looked for links between changes in kidney function with the incidence of heart failure, heart attack, stroke and peripheral arterial disease.
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| Anemia Drug May Raise Stroke Risk in Kidney Patients |
A drug designed to fight anemia appears to double the risk of stroke in patients with diabetes and kidney disease without substantially improving their quality of life, a new study finds. Darbepoetin alfa, marketed as Aranesp and known as an erythropoiesis-stimulating agent (ESA), is often prescribed for diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease and mild anemia.
"The benefits we assumed we would have by treating anemia were less striking and the risks were more striking," said lead researcher Marc A. Pfeffer, MD, a professor of medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. The results provide new data for doctors and patients to make their own risk-benefit assessment.
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| 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. |
| AAKP Awards 2010 Medal of Excellence |
 AAKP is pleased to announce Tom F. Parker, III, MD, is the 2010 AAKP Medal of Excellence recipient. The AAKP Medal of Excellence Award acknowledges a renal physician's significant contributions to the progress of patient education and disease treatment in the kidney community. Dr. Parker joins a long list of nephrologists who have excelled in his/her contributions to the renal community including patient care and patient education.
AAKP will honor Dr. Parker Saturday, March 13 at the Renaissance Harborplace Hotel in Baltimore, Md, during the Medal of Excellence Award Dinner held in conjunction with the Renal Physician Association's Annual Meeting. Dinner tickets are $99. For more information visit www.aakp.org/events/Medal-of-Excellence/2010. |
| Blood Pressure Meds Can Protect Kidney Health |
What's good for your heart is also good for your kidneys, according to recommendations from the Texas Campaign for Kidney Health. Controlling your blood pressure, especially if you have diabetes, is a critical step in protecting your kidneys from disease. Patients often cut back on their blood pressure medicines because they feel better or because they want to save money. According to James D. Lindley, MD, this could damage your long-term health.
Consistently taking your blood pressure medicines keeps your blood pressure in check, which in turn lessens the chance of high blood pressure damaging your kidneys. Like the heart, the kidneys' delicate tissues are susceptible to damage from high blood pressure, so it is important to take your blood pressure medications as prescribed. |
| Shop Online and Support AAKP |
 Here's an easy way to raise money for the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP). Every time you shop online at your favorite stores you could be saving money and earning a donation for AAKP.
Our toolbar, developed by GoodSearch & GoodShop, takes just a few seconds to download. More than 1,300 top stores including Apple, Best Buy, Gap, PetSmart, and Staples are pitching in and will donate a percentage of each sale to AAKP. The GoodSearch toolbar also includes a search box which is powered by Yahoo. Each time you search the web, about a penny is donated to AAKP!
There's no easier way to help AAKP. Please spread the word! |
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