KIDNEY BEGINNINGS - April 2020
Coronavirus Webinar on 4/10, Coronavirus Resources for Patients 

AAKP is hosting a HealthLine webinar on  Friday, April 10 at 3 pm ET  on Coronavirus and Transplant Patients with allied partners,  American Society of Transplantation and American Society of Transplant Surgeons. Featured speakers include: Lloyd E. Ratner, M.D., M.P.H., F.A.C.S; President of American Society of Transplant Surgeons and Emily Blumberg, MD, President of American Society of Transplantation.   Learn more and register, click here.  

Additionally, AAKP created a webpage to assist all kidney patients, their families and their friends, who are in need of credible, reliable and emerging data and information about Coronavirus (COVID-19).   Some of the links you will find on the webpage include:
In This Issue
This issue of Kidney Beginnings is supported by:
AAKP Leads National High Potassium Awareness Day Campaign on May 1st (5.1.20)

Approximately 3 million people in the U.S. with chronic kidney disease and/or heart failure are living with high potassium levels* .


Potassium (scientific symbol is K+) is an important mineral that plays a key role in controlling the function of nerves and muscles, particularly the heart.  Potassium is found in many foods, mainly fruits and vegetables.  Most of the extra potassium eaten in the diet is removed by the kidneys.  When kidney function decreases to a certain level, the body cannot get rid of excess potassium.  If potassium levels become too high (for example, if too much potassium is taken in and kidney function is not good enough to remove the extra potassium, or if potassium levels rise due to certain medications), then an individual is diagnosed with hyperkalemia (high potassium) - a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. 
 
You can join in the "Are You O-K+" campaign!  Here are some easy ways for you to join us for National High Potassium Awareness Day:

Click on the blue button to learn more about this campaign.
AAKP Blog Post: What The Greatest Generation Taught Me
 
How do you gain strength during the 
COVID-19 Pandemic?

By Suzanne Ruff, AAKP Board of Director, author The Reluctant Donor

Every morning when we awaken, our first thoughts are about how the  Coronavirus is ravaging across America and the world. Each hour, more and more innocent people and their families are impacted. We see  COVID-19 devastation every moment on our televisions, smart phones and Ipads. We also learn of the heroism of our brave first responders and selfless medical personnel. To gain strength, I think of my family and the lessons they learned from other dark chapters in our shared American history.

The year was 1934 and the country was in the midst of what is called The Great Depression. My Dad was ten years old. His father became sick and entered the hospital, never to return or recover.

In 1941, my Mom was twelve years old when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor - the event that triggered America's involvement in World War II.

I wonder today what the younger generation knows about those times. Do they know what the 'Great Depression' was? Is it taught in school? Do they know that 2,403 people died at Pearl Harbor? Mom described the worried faces of her parents that day as they gathered around the radio to listen to what happened in Hawaii. Does the younger generation understand there was no TV back then?

Click on the blue button below the full blog post.
Learn more about kidney donation and transplantation; April is National Donate Life Month

April is National Donate Life Month!  Did you know: 80% of patients on the waiting list are waiting for a kidney ? Learn more about organ donation and kidney transplantation this month!  Share your knowledge with friends and family!

Learn more from these AAKP Resources listed below:

Click on the blue button to read more stats on donation and transplatation.
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AAKP newsletters are for informational purposes and share some of the latest news in popular media and within the kidney community. The content included is not necessarily the opinion of the Association.  AAKP has no control and is not libel for article links that have been removed/changed/broken.