Patient advocate and triathlete Shad Ireland will help raise awareness of patients on dialysis for 25 years or more by visiting a select group of clinics across the U.S. over the next two months. Ireland is a national spokesman for Fresenius Medical Care North America (FMCNA), the nation’s leading network of dialysis facilities, which annually recognizes its 25-year patients with the Quarter Century Patient Recognition Program. Ireland’s visits will include a plaque presentation to patient honorees in Texas, Virginia, Louisiana and Ohio.

Most dialysis patients go to a clinic three times a week for treatments lasting three to four hours at a time. Quarter Century Patients have demonstrated that a sustained commitment to their treatment program and healthy living, combined with receiving high quality care, can lead to a long and productive life.

"Our Quarter Century patients have shown courage and an unwavering dedication to achieving better health, including an active lifestyle, healthy diet, and working closely with their health care team," said Raymond Hakim, MD, chief medical officer at FMCNA. "Their accomplishment is proof that patients can live long, healthy, and fulfilling lives while on dialysis."

Ireland is a home dialysis patient and a Quarter Century Patient himself — he was diagnosed with kidney failure at age 10 and has been on dialysis for 27 years, while surviving two failed kidney transplants. Despite his struggles with kidney disease, Ireland is an accomplished athlete who has completed more than 20 triathlons. In 2009, he biked 4,639 miles across the U.S. on his “What Inspires You” bike tour to promote chronic kidney disease education and awareness.

"It's rewarding to meet these patients, and help inspire them to stay dedicated to their treatment and to continue leading rewarding lives," said Ireland. "These strong, devoted people help show other patients that there is life after a kidney disease diagnosis, and they can still accomplish great things."

Dialysis is a life-sustaining process that cleans waste products from the blood, removes extra fluids and controls the body’s chemistry when a person’s kidneys fail. Dialysis patients typically require treatment on an ongoing basis unless they receive a kidney transplant.

About Fresenius Medical Care

Fresenius Medical Care (NYSE: FMS) is the world’s leading company devoted to patient-oriented renal therapy. Through more than 2,700 clinics in North America, Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and Africa, we provide kidney dialysis treatments to approximately 210,000 patients worldwide. We are also the world's leading maker of dialysis products such as hemodialysis machines, dialyzers and related disposable products. Chronic kidney failure is a condition that affects about 1.9 million individuals worldwide.

For more information about the company’s more than 1,800 U.S. dialysis facilities, visit www.ultracare-dialysis.com (in English and Spanish). For more information about Fresenius Medical Care, visit www.fmc-ag.com or www.fmcna.com.

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