AAKP News of the
Month:
Vote for Your Favorite Artwork!
Vote for your favorite AAKP artwork contest entry! The illustrations are on the AAKP website for public judging. Voting is open until April 15. Winners will be announced in late April.
The top three selected pieces of artwork will be turned into all occasion greeting cards and be offered as Association fundraisers. Winners will receive a complimentary pack of their artwork greeting card along with an award certificate for their accomplishments. Click here to cast your vote. |
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| Anemia Drugs Pose Risks For Some on Dialysis |
 Powerful drugs that treat the anemia caused by kidney failure yield mixed results, depending on the severity of the anemia. According to a new study, people on dialysis with severe anemia tend to live longer when given high doses of the drugs, known as erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and marketed as Epogen, Procrit and Aranesp, but it found the drugs increase the risk for dying prematurely among people with mild anemia.
ESAs, which increase the production of red blood cells, are approved by the FDA to treat the anemia caused by cancer chemotherapy and AIDS drugs as well as kidney failure, but safety concerns have limited their use, especially among cancer patients. Over the next few months, the FDA and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services plan to review the use of ESAs in the treatment of anemic people with kidney disease. The findings appear in the Journal of the American Medical Association. |
| Call for AAKP Board of Directors Nominations |
AAKP is currently accepting nominations for the 2010-2011 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 21, 2010.
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) 749-2257 or visit the AAKP website to download the nomination form. Self nominations are encouraged. |
| AAKP Continues to Look Forward while Experiencing Leadership Change |
AAKP has announced the resignation of its Executive Director, Kim Buettner. Buettner has accepted a position within the Education and Patient Advisory Program of a large Tampa based cancer treatment and research center. "For more than 10 years, Kim has held a career with AAKP. She has served the Association in several roles and during the past year, as the executive director, she has demonstrated her passion and commitment toward patient education," said AAKP President Roberta "Bobbi" Wager, RN, MSN. "Her departure saddens the Board and staff, however, we are happy to see her advancing in an area for which she holds such an interest." Buettner's last day is April 15. The Board has developed a search committee and is conducting a national search for an executive director. For additional information, please send an e-mail to info@aakp.org. |
| AAKP Accepting Nominations for Annual Awards |
 Each year during the Annual Convention, AAKP presents its prestigious Annual Awards to those who have made a significant contribution to the renal community and have helped carry out AAKP's mission. AAKP is currently accepting nominations for all awards and encourages patients, family members, friends, caregivers and health care professionals to participate by nominating someone who has worked hard on behalf of kidney patients.
Award categories include:
- Kris Robinson Memorial Award
- Samuel J. Orenstein Award
- AAKP Patient Comeback of the Year Award
- Josephine Berman Award
- Peter Lundin, MD Award
- Dominick Gentile, MD Award
- Caregiver of the Year Award
- AAKP Volunteer of the Year Award
- Kidney Patient Support Group of the Year
For more information about AAKP's Annual Awards, please contact AAKP at (800) 749-2257 or visit the AAKP website. The nomination form may also be downloaded from the site. |
| Sunlight May Help Protect Men From Kidney Cancer |
| Men with jobs that expose them to high levels of sunlight are less likely to develop kidney cancer than those with little or no sunlight exposure at work, according to a new study. Previous research suggests vitamin D, which is obtained from sun exposure and certain foods and supplements, may help prevent some cancers. Vitamin D is metabolized and most active within the kidneys. The study included 1,097 male and female kidney cancer patients and 1,476 healthy people in Europe who were interviewed about their work history and other demographic information. Men with the highest levels of work-related exposure to sunlight were 24 to 38 percent less likely to have kidney cancer than other men. This association between job-related sunlight exposure and kidney cancer risk was not seen in women. |
| KidneyLink Website Offers Information on Transplants |
 KidneyLink is a program for anyone desiring more information about the kidney transplant process. The goal of KidneyLink is to provide those in need of a kidney transplant, as well as potential kidney donors, the basic information needed to make educated decisions regarding this life-changing event. KidneyLink.org offers easy-to-understand information about the various forms of kidney transplants as well as interactive transplant center maps and statistics, FAQ's on kidney donations, patient stories and tips on how to talk with others about the need for a kidney. KidneyLink was created by and is maintained by the PKD Foundation. | |
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