FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Tenee Hawkins
Director of Communications
American Kidney Fund
404.658.1423 - Office
404.551.0341 - Cell
thawkins@kidneyfund.org

Melody M. McDowell
Chief Information Officer
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
773.660.2001 - Office
312.371.8917 - Cell
melodyaka@aol.com

American Kidney Fund Announces National Partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., to Spread Awareness of Kidney Disease

Rockville, MD (July 19, 2010) – Today, the American Kidney Fund announced that it was named a health charity organization of choice in a four-year partnership with Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated – the first Greek-lettered sorority established and incorporated by African American college women. The official announcement took place last week at Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s 64th Biennial International Conference in St. Louis, Missouri.

“We are pleased that Alpha Kappa Alpha’s new International President, Attorney Carolyn House Stewart, has chosen kidney disease awareness as one of her health initiatives,” said LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund. “It is an honor to partner with an organization with such a strong legacy of service and commitment to health in communities around the world.”

In this dynamic partnership, the American Kidney Fund will join more than 250,000 women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., to raise awareness of kidney disease and its risk factors through health and education-focused activities. Some elements of the partnership include:

• Collaboration on regional health fairs and forums
• Distribution of health literature and information
• Implementation of health screening initiatives
• Collaboration on events and other fundraising activities to benefit people with and at-risk for kidney disease

“Kidney disease awareness was chosen as one of our health initiatives because I believe there is a great need for us to sound the alarm around kidney disease and its leading risk factors – diabetes and high blood pressure,” said Attorney Carolyn House Stewart, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.’s International President. “It is fitting that we would join with the American Kidney Fund in this effort to spread awareness, as the American Kidney Fund is not only the nation’s leading charitable organization in providing financial assistance to kidney patients, but also provides education and awareness to those at risk for kidney disease.”

For more information about the partnership, visit www.kidneyfund.org/AKA.

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About the American Kidney Fund
The American Kidney Fund is the nation’s No. 1 source of treatment-related financial assistance to kidney patients and a leader in providing health education to people with or at risk for kidney disease.  In 2009, the American Kidney Fund provided nearly $155 million in treatment-related financial assistance to more than 87,000 dialysis patients nationwide.  The American Kidney Fund reaches tens of thousands of individuals each year with information about kidney health; operates a kidney disease screening program in high-risk communities; and maintains a toll-free HelpLine (866-300-2900) which provides education about kidney disease. The American Kidney Fund is a seven-time recipient of the highest “Four Star” rating from Charity Navigator; holds an A+ rating from the American Institute of Philanthropy; adheres to the National Health Council Standards of Excellence; and is a member of the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance. For more information, visit www.kidneyfund.org.

About Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated (AKA) is an international service organization that was founded on the campus of Howard University in Washington, DC in 1908. It is the oldest Greek-lettered organization established by African-American college-educated women. Alpha Kappa Alpha is comprised of a nucleus of 260,000 members in graduate and undergraduate chapters in the United States, the U. S. Virgin Islands, the Caribbean, Canada, Japan, Germany, Korea and on the continent of Africa. Its membership is comprised of distinguished women who boast excellent academic records, proven leadership skills, and are involved in the global community through advocacy and service.  Alpha Kappa Alpha has dedicated itself to improving the quality of life for citizens worldwide and promoting peace. Since its founding 102 years ago, Alpha Kappa Alpha’s mission has been Service to All Mankind.