{"id":3122,"date":"2018-07-02T11:46:35","date_gmt":"2018-07-02T15:46:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theiyafoundation.org\/?p=3122"},"modified":"2020-02-08T14:45:37","modified_gmt":"2020-02-08T19:45:37","slug":"hillday","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theiyafoundation.org\/2018\/07\/02\/hillday\/","title":{"rendered":"AAKP Partners with the Renal Physician Association for Capitol Hill Day"},"content":{"rendered":"
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<\/a><\/p>\n By Iya Bekondo-Granatella, Founder of the Iya Foundation Inc.<\/p>\n [Washington D.C. June 22nd<\/sup> 2018] The American Association of Kidney Patients partnered with the Renal Physician Association for Capitol Hill Day, commonly referred to as Hill Day. Hill Day is a day kidney patients and their health care providers convene to inform elected officials and policy makers about key issues that affect them. Founded in 1969, the AAKP is the oldest and largest independent kidney patient organization in the U.S.A. They often conduct national education programs designed to better inform kidney patients, caregivers, and policy makers about the true impacts of kidney disease, prevention efforts, and treatment methods (AAKP website<\/a>). <\/strong>The RPA on the other hand, is a group of nephrology healthcare providers who are devoted to improving the care of patients with kidney disease and related disorders. As indicated on their website<\/a><\/strong>, the RPA includes as part of their core principles the belief in facilitating of high quality, efficient and ethical renal care, and in promoting the leadership role of the nephrologist (kidney doctor) in defining renal care policies and practices. Hill Day therefore serves as a suitable platform where these two separate entities come together as one voice to speak on issues that affect them. <\/strong>The ultimate goal of Hill Day is to secure cosponsoring and\/or gain original sponsoring from Senators and House Representatives on legislations that affect the kidney community.<\/p>\n As a 12+ year kidney recipient living with kidney disease for almost 29 years, being diagnosed as a child, <\/em>it was an honor for me to be invited to this year\u2019s June Hill Day as a patient and kidney health advocate with The Iya Foundation<\/a><\/strong> and a Field Ambassador for the AAKP; to speak on behalf of myself as a patient, and more importantly for all patients in general on such an esteemed national platform. Thank you AAKP \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n