March is National Kidney Month!

The American Kidney Fund is commemorating National Kidney Month with a series of events designed to focus the nation’s attention on kidney health.

	Third Annual Advocate Fly-in Ten AKF patient-advocates came to Washington, D.C., from six states for advocacy training and a series of meetings with their elected representatives on March 1. These patient-advocates shared their stories of living with kidney disease or caring for a loved one who has kidney disease, and discussed the impact of healthcare policy on those living with the disease.
	A Congressional Conversation Members of Congress joined American Kidney Fund President and CEO LaVarne A. Burton, Celebrity Health Champion Laila Ali, and the AKF patient-advocates on March 1 for a discussion of kidney health and AKF’s national campaign to prevent kidney disease, Pair Up: Join the Fight to Prevent Kidney Disease.
	Kidney Action Day on the Hill AKF took the fight to prevent kidney disease to Capitol Hill with its March 1 Kidney Action Day on the Hill. With a focus on preventing kidney disease, AKF provided free kidney health screenings, kidney health education and fun fitness activities.   Several Members Congress attended the event and praised AKF's efforts in education and outreach to help prevent kidney disease.
	Kidney Health Sunday The National Baptist Congress of Christian Education, in partnership with the American Kidney Fund, is making March 4 Kidney Health Sunday in churches nationwide. Kidney Health Sunday is designed to raise awareness about kidney disease through use of the American Kidney Fund’s Learn It! Check It! Live It! Toolkit.
	Kidney Health Screenings and Education In recognition of National Kidney Month, the American Kidney Fund is holding free kidney health screenings and education sessions in Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland and Raleigh, N.C. Locations and details are available on the AKF website.
	Calendar Kids Cover Art Contest Thirteen finalists in the American Kidney Fund’s 17th annual Calendar Kids Art Contest will compete for the honor of gracing the cover of AKF’s 2013 calendar. Online voting for the winner will begin on March 15. The child who wins the cover contest will receive a trip to Washington, D.C., to be honored at AKF’s annual gala, The Hope Affair, this fall. All 13 children who are named finalists will have their artwork published in the 2013 calendar and will receive prizes. Meet last year’s cover art winner, Danielle Long.
	6th Annual New York Spring Event The New York Spring Event is the American Kidney Fund’s signature fundraiser in New York City. This year, the event will honor Dr. David Cohen and Barbara and Douglas A. Asofsky. The 6th Annual New York Spring Event will take place on Thursday, March 22, 2012, at Twenty Four Fifth in New York City.