DaVita Launches ''Seed of Awareness'' Website to Raise Awareness

[okarol]

Press Release   Source: DaVita Inc.

DaVita Launches ''Seed of Awareness'' Website to Raise Awareness about Chronic Kidney Disease and to Provide Funds for the Kidney TRUST

Wednesday March 7, 9:00 am ET

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In honor of World Kidney Day, March 8, 2007, DaVita Inc. announced that it will launch a new campaign titled "Seed of Awareness." This campaign consists of a website, on which each visitor can plant a virtual seed which produces a virtual flower.

Each person who does this is supporting chronic kidney disease (CKD) awareness just by visiting the site and participating. For each seed planted, DaVita Inc. will donate $1 to The Kidney TRUST, a 501c3 non-profit whose mission to create a world of hope, health, action and engagement for those affected by chronic kidney disease.

Kent Thiry, DaVita CEO, said, "At DaVita, we believe a company can also be a community. DaVita.com, the most heavily visited site on the web for people looking for information about kidney disease, is one example of our community building. Our Seed of Awareness campaign also builds community by giving web visitors the opportunity to raise money for people with kidney disease at the click of a mouse."

The Kidney TRUST aims to benefit the 20 million American adults estimated to have CKD and their families, as well as the 320,000 Americans with kidney failure who are on dialysis and their families. One of The TRUST's main goals is to increase awareness of kidney disease through public education and testing programs so that progression of the disease to kidney failure can be delayed or prevented.

Barbara Lawson, newly appointed President of The Kidney TRUST, commented, "The Kidney TRUST is very pleased to be the beneficiary of DaVita's innovative 'Seed of Awareness' program, which not only will raise money for our kidney disease education and testing efforts, but communicate to the public that their active involvement is essential in the early detection and treatment of CKD."

DaVita Inc. is one of the largest providers of dialysis services in the United States, providing dialysis services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney failure and disease. DaVita manages over 1,200 outpatient facilities and acute units in over 800 hospitals located in 42 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 100,000 patients. For more information please visit www.DaVita.com.

For more information about The Kidney TRUST or the KAT Walk walkathons, please visit The TRUST at www.kidneytrust.org, or call toll free 877-444-2398.


Contact:

DaVita, Inc.
Stephanie Prial, 800-310-4872
Director, Marketing

URL: http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/070307/20070307005470.html?.v=1