On April 22, the American Association of Kidney Patients honored Representatives Dave Camp, R-Mich., and Pete Stark , D-Calif, for their continued commitment to kidney patients and their work  passing the Stephanie Tubbs-Jones Congressional Gift of Life Medal Act. AAKP President Bobbi Wager, RN, MSN, Executive Director Kim Buettner, and three AAKP Board members presented the AAKP Congressional Leadership Medals during a special meeting in Washington, D.C.

The Stephanie Tubbs-Jones Act, introduced by the Representatives and a bipartisan group of 44 Members of Congress, creates a commemorative medal for organ donors and their families. The bill is named after Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs-Jones, an organ donation advocate, who had her organs donated after suffering a brain aneurysm last summer.

The Congressional Leadership Medal is given with the AAKP Medal of Excellence Award, which is one of AAKP’s highest honors, recognizing a renal physician who has played a significant role in the health and well-being of the nation’s kidney patients. The Congressional Leadership Medal has only been awarded two times previously, and recognizes the outstanding commitment and efforts of those who influence and pass legislative policy benefiting kidney patients.

“As a two-time kidney transplant recipient, it is a privilege to recognize individuals who offer people with kidney disease new hope for a life of endless possibilities,” said Wager. “I believe the work of Representatives Camp and Stark on this bill will not only encourage others to be organ donors, but also generate much needed awareness about kidney disease and transplantation. I thank them for their efforts.”

During this visit AAKP Board members, Stephen Fadem, MD, FACP, FASN; Alice McCall, RN (transplant recipient) and Richard Knight (transplant recipient), discussed other kidney policy related items including S. 656, the Comprehensive Immunosuppressive Drug Coverage for Kidney Transplant Patient Act of 2009 and its companion House-bill, H.R. 1458. This bill would extend immunosuppressive drug coverage beyond the first 36 months after a kidney transplant. AAKP supports such legislation. The patient board members also shared personal experiences related to their health care.