American Association Of Kidney Patients Asks Congressional Leaders To Co-Sponsor Bill

Main Category: Transplants / Organ Donations
Also Included In: Urology / Nephrology
Article Date: 23 May 2007 - 12:00 PDT

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The American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) is asking Congressional leaders to join in its effort to increase the number of living and non-living organ donors. On Thursday, May 17, 2007, AAKP urged leaders in both Houses of Congress to co-sponsor the William H. Frist Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act, S. 1062. The bill would establish a Congressional commemorative medal to recognize the selfless act of organ donation.

There are nearly 100,000 people in the United States waiting for a new organ. More than 70,000 of those are kidney patients desperately seeking this life saving gift. And since January 2007, less than 5,000 people have donated an organ.

"This legislation is a common sense approach to honor individuals whose selfless acts allow others to live normal productive lives," says AAKP President Bobbi Wager, RN, MSN. "Organ donors not only have the power to change a kidney patient's life, but the lives of people who care for the patient."

The act honors Former Senate Majority Leader William H. Frist, MD. Senator Frist has dedicated his life to public service. During his time in office, he worked tirelessly as an advocate for organ donors and their families.

To read AAKP's request for co-sponsors of S. 1062; William H. Frist Gift of Life Congressional Medal Act, go to the AAKP Web site, www.aakp.org.

AAKP is the voluntary, patient organization, which for more than 35 years, has been dedicated to improving the lives of fellow kidney patients and their families by helping them deal with the physical, emotional and social impact of kidney disease. The programs offered by AAKP inform and inspire patients and their families to better understand their condition, adjust more readily to their circumstances, and assume more normal, productive lives in their communities.

www.aakp.org