Nation's Largest Dialysis Patient Organization Recognizes the Achievements of Patients and Leaders in K...( Representative Donna Christensen reco...),Health

Representative Donna Christensen recognized for her contributions to kidney

care

WASHINGTON, Sept. 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- DaVita Patient Citizens (DPC) -- a nationwide patient advocacy group comprised of more than 20,000 dialysis and pre-dialysis patients and family members -- held its annual Gala and Awards program today. Entitled, Celebrating the Empowerment of Kidney Patients, the event brought together dialysis patients and members of the kidney care community to extol the achievements of kidney patients and those within the community who dedicate their lives to improving care.

2007 Gala Award recipients include:

-- Donna M. Christensen, MD. Representative Christensen (D-VI) is the

chair of the Congressional Black Caucus' Health Brain Trust. A

physician, she has been a leader in focusing Congress' attention on

kidney care issues.

-- Jack W. Moncrief, MD. Dr. Moncrief from Austin, TX is credited with

developing Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis -- a method of

dialysis that allows the blood to be cleaned within the abdominal

cavity.

-- American Kidney Fund (AKF). AKF is a leader in providing financial

assistance to chronic kidney disease patients across the nation. In

2006, AKF served more than 63,500 patients, distributing $81.9 million

in grants.

-- Abbott Laboratories. Abbott Laboratories, the makers of Zemplar, are a

key partner of DPC. Their support has allowed DPC to provide kidney

care education to thousands of patients.

-- Ardell Lien. A Minnesotan, Mr. Lien received a heart and kidney

transplant in 2003, and subsequently sailed around the work to raise

awareness about the need for organ donation.

"On behalf of the kidney community, we are honored to recognize the achievements of empowered kidney patients and their advocates," said
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