Every year, on the second Thursday in March, ASN joins the worldwide renal community in celebrating World Kidney Day. On Thursday, March 13, 2008, ASN will again contribute its own World Kidney Day effort in Washington, DC. World Kidney Day is a platform for raising awareness about kidney disease among government officials, physicians, allied health professionals, and the public; promoting early detection and prevention of progression of kidney disease; and advocating for enhanced funding of research on the causes and treatment of kidney diseases.
This year, ASN members will again partner with patient representatives from the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) and walk the halls of Congress to raise awareness among our elected representatives of the prevalence of kidney disease in the United States, the cost of the disease to the nation, and the critical importance of funding research that will lead to improved prevention and treatment of kidney disease.
Jonathan Himmelfarb, MD, who chairs the ASN Public Policy Board, and Paul Smedberg, the Society’s Director of Policy and Public Affairs, lead the energized ASN public policy effort. In addition to producing a radio spot that was highly effective in raising awareness of kidney disease, the Board brought 11 nephrologists to Washington, DC, in 2007 to meet with elected officials and staff from 40 different Congressional offices. On World Kidney Day 2008, ASN will double its ground efforts, expand its media reach, and co-sponsor a Congressional reception with NKF.
The Public Policy Board encourages ASN members to become involved by visiting the district offices of their members of Congress prior to or on World Kidney Day. The Public Policy Board has prepared informational material that reflects the Society’s advocacy goals, including a slide set on chronic kidney disease (CKD) that can be used for grand rounds presentations.
To obtain this information or learn more about World Kidney Day 2008, please contact ASN Senior Policy Coordinator Susan Owens at sowens@asn-online.org or (202) 416-0668.
Sincerely,
Peter S. Aronson, MD, FASN
President, American Society of Nephrology
Campaign to Report eGFR
An estimated 26 million adults in the United States have some evidence of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It is also estimated that less than one fifth of those with CKD are aware of their condition. In an effort to diagnose these patients sooner and thereby slow the progression of the disease, ASN, the American Association of Clinical Chemistry, the American Diabetes Association, the College of American Pathologists, and the National Kidney Disease Education Program urge nephrologists to help facilitate the reporting of estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) by all hospital and commercial clinical laboratories in the United States. For more information about this issue, please click here to view a letter regarding eGFR that has been endorsed by ASN and the other organizations.
Attend Renal WeekEnds
During Renal WeekEnds, expert faculty will summarize, critique, and put into perspective key presentations from the 2007 Renal Week in San Francisco, CA. These "Renal Week Highlights" programs are perfect for those who could not attend Renal Week and for those November participants who were unable to attend these key presentations.
Please join us in the city nearest you for the remaining meetings
- Los Angeles, CA (February 16-17).
- Mexico City, Mexico (February 23-24).
- Vancouver, Canada (March 1-2).
- Chicago, IL (March 8-9).
- Orlando, FL (March 29-30).
New this year, all nephrology fellows are eligible to attend the Renal WeekEnd of their choice for only $35!
To learn more about these programs and register online, please click here.
Call for ASN Councilor Nominations
The deadline for ASN members to send suggestions for candidates for the 2008 ASN Council election is Friday, April 4, 2008, at 4:00 p.m. EST. A special effort is being made to diversify the composition of the Council, so please consider suggesting individuals who will help the ASN accomplish this goal. ASN members are encouraged to send suggestions to the ASN office at:
American Society of Nephrology
Attention: Nominating Committee
1725 I Street, NW
Suite 510
Washington, DC 20006
Fax: 202/659-0709
Email: nmatthews@asn-online.org
Or, ASN members can contact any of the members of the 2008 Nominating Committee directly, with a copy to the ASN office by Friday, April 4, at 4:00 p.m. EST.
ASN will send a ballot, including brief biographical data, to all active members approximately two months before Renal Week 2008.
The members of the 2008 Nominating Committee are:
Sharon P. Andreoli, MD
Mark Haas MD, PhD
Benjamin L. Margolis, MD
Edgar L. Milford, MD
Jay Wish, MD
Renew Your ASN Membership Online
ASN now offers the ease of online membership renewals and the ability to update demographic information online. To renew your ASN membership online today, please follow the following instructions:
- Go to www.asn-online.org.
- Click on "Renew your ASN membership for 2008" under "Renal Reminders."
- Insert your last name and user ID.
- Select "renew" and continue following the prompts to renew your dues.
- After reviewing, please don’t forget to update your demographic information.
Membership in ASN includes a subscription to the Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (JASN), the Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology (CJASN), and the Nephrology Self-Assessment Program (NephSAP), as well as the ability to submit and/or sponsor abstracts for Renal Week, receive ASN’s e-newsletters (Renal Express and Renal Policy Express) automatically, access to online job advertisements, and access to an online Membership Directory (which is updated daily).
ASN members are also entitled to discounted registration fees for Renal Week, Renal WeekEnds, and the ASN Annual Board Review Course & Update. To take advantage of the benefits of ASN membership, please use your last name and your ASN User ID.
This year, ASN and the American College of Physicians (ACP) have again signed an agreement to provide a 10% dues discount (for those paying full membership fees) for individuals who are members of both ASN and ACP. It is important to note that if you are paying a discounted ACP membership rate, you are ineligible for this reduced rate. Additionally, if you renew or join the ASN and then apply for membership with the ACP, you will not be eligible for a refund of the difference in membership rates.
If you renewed your membership in 2007 as an ASN-ACP member, this option will be automatically offered to you again in 2008. If you have recently become a member of ACP, please email ASN’s Senior Membership Coordinator Pamela Beard at pbeard@asn-online.org for assistance with your 2008 membership renewal.
To renew your membership and update your contact information online today, simply follow steps 1 through 6 included above. Please stay tuned to the ASN website for a new look, additional enhancements, and more services to ASN members.
Urolithiasis Treatment and Outcomes Symposium
The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) on February 28–29, 2008, is holding a forum on current and contemplated research and treatments of urolithiasis and its symptoms. For details, please view NIDDK’s website. For questions concerning meeting, please contact Michelle Watson at mwatson@scgcorp.com or (301) 670-4990.
ISN Forefronts Symposium on PKD; Abstract Due Date: February, 15, 2008
The International Society of Nephrology (ISN) invites you to explore the latest aspects of the molecular understanding of polycystic kidney diseases and to submit your abstract for the ISN Forefronts Symposium on Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), taking place April 10-13, 2008, in Montreal, Canada. Submission due date is February 15.
Bringing together a unique array of speakers from a broad range of fields related to PKD, this Symposium will foster interdisciplinary discussion on this clinically significant and intriguing disorder.
To learn more about the scientific program and to submit your abstract before February 15, click here.
