FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact:
Tenee Hawkins
Director of Communications
404.658.1423
thawkins@kidneyfund.org

WASHINGTON (October 1)—In celebration of people who are living with kidney disease, as well as the individuals and corporations who are working to improve the lives of kidney patients, the American Kidney Fund will host its first national gala, The Hope Affair, at the Newseum on October 6.

The theme of The Hope Affair is “Making News. Leading the Way.” Wolf Blitzer, Anchor of CNN’s The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer, has signed on as the evening’s emcee. Kent J. Thiry, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of DaVita®, is serving as 2009 Event Chair.

“I am incredibly honored to be the Event Chair for this important cause and appreciate the support of the entire kidney care community,” said Thiry. “It is charity affairs like these that help shine the spotlight on kidney disease and the millions of Americans who need our government’s support, both now and in the future.” 
 
As the nation’s attention continues to focus on the cost and impact of chronic health conditions, The Hope Affair shines a spotlight on chronic kidney disease, the nation’s ninth leading cause of death. An estimated 31 million Americans are living with chronic kidney disease, though many are unaware because of the silent nature of the condition.

Left undiagnosed and untreated, chronic kidney disease can progress to kidney failure. For the more than 500,000 Americans who are living with kidney failure, survival depends upon dialysis or transplantation. Kidney failure imposes an enormous cost burden on patients and on the nation, accounting for nearly 6 percent of all Medicare spending. Ensuring kidney disease patients have access to care is a collaborative effort of the American Kidney Fund and the entire renal community.

“The Hope Affair is the American Kidney Fund’s opportunity to draw public attention to chronic kidney disease, and to thank the many individuals and corporations who support our mission to fight kidney disease through direct financial support to kidney patients in need; health education; and prevention efforts,” said LaVarne A. Burton, President and CEO of the American Kidney Fund.

The American Kidney Fund provides charitable assistance to 1 out of every 5 dialysis patients in the United States, helping them to maintain their health insurance coverage and to pay other treatment-related expenses that insurance does not cover. The American Kidney Fund also provides kidney health education services to people at risk for kidney disease, and advocates for equitable access to care for kidney patients.

At The Hope Affair, the American Kidney Fund will celebrate and honor the accomplishments and contributions of four key Congressional lawmakers who have supported the interests of kidney patients:

• Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) will receive the Kidney Patient Leadership Award
• Representative Donna M. Christensen (D-VI) will receive the Kidney Patient Advocate Award
• Representative John Lewis (D-GA) will receive the Kidney Patient Champion Award
• Representative Devin Nunes (R-CA) will receive the Kidney Patient Rising Star Award

The Hope Affair is supported by the generosity of many sponsors, including DaVita, Fresenius Medical Care, Amgen, AMAG Pharmaceuticals, American Renal Associates, Renal Advantage, Technical Resources International, Genzyme, and U.S. Renal Care.

All proceeds from The Hope Affair will directly support the programs and services of the American Kidney Fund, including vital financial assistance to kidney patients who are in need; a toll-free health information HelpLine; and health education and screenings for people at risk.

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About the American Kidney Fund
In 2008, the American Kidney Fund provided nearly $120 million in treatment-related financial assistance to 75,000 kidney 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.