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Tampa, Fla . – Advancing its longstanding mission of improving the lives of fellow kidney patients, the American Association of Kidney Patients (AAKP) announced today the development of a new public policy brochure. Titled, AAKP & You: How To Be Your Own Public Policy Advocate, the brochure is designed to encourage and educate kidney patients how to contact their state and local Congressional members.

It is estimated over 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease. Nearly 500,000 of those have end stage renal disease (ESRD). Funding for chronic kidney disease (CKD) has reached $14 billion dollars annually. "AAKP believes patients have the right and responsibility to contact lawmakers who are making health decisions on their behalf," says AAKP President Bobbi Wager, RN, MSN. "What better way for lawmakers to know what kidney patients need then to hear it from kidney patients."

The brochure contains tips and information for writing legislators, tips for visiting Congressional offices and who in the office is best to speak to for a particular issue. AAKP hopes patients and renal advocates will use the brochure to take action. AAKP believes public policy opportunities have never been greater and we must all participate.

To request a free copy of AAKP & You: How To Be Your Own Public Policy Advocate, call AAKP at (800) 749-AAKP. You can also download a copy by going to www.aakp.org.

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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.