DaVita Inc. , a leading provider of kidney care services for those diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD), supports dialysis patients' education by offering individualized treatment options based on optimal patient care standards and social circumstances.

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Victor Tlatelpa, 16, is not your everyday student at Hollywood High School in Los Angeles, CA - in between busy hours of classes and homework he has been dialyzing since May 2008 at DaVita's UCLA Dialysis Center in Westwood, CA. During his treatments three days a week (two of which are school days), he spends time studying and even receives encouragement from DaVita teammates (employees). And in between, he still finds time to play goalie on his friends' soccer team.

"I feel lucky to be able to play soccer," said Victor. "At the beginning of my treatment, I thought I would be in the hospital forever and I worried that I would not be able to play anymore. Now I live a normal life."

At age 62, Darryl Kim of Rancho Cucamonga, CA has overcome multiple challenges while pursuing his doctorate in Clinical Psychology at Loma Linda University - including two kidney transplants, open-heart surgery and a below-the-knee amputation. Originally an in-center hemodialysis patient, he received the help of DaVita clinicians, nurses and technicians switching to nocturnal dialysis and now has the energy to pursue his ambitious educational and career plans.

In 2008, Darryl earned his doctorate and is now working towards completing his clinical hours to receive a state license to open his own private practice. "I would never have been able to succeed without the different options DaVita provided me," said Darryl. "While they [DaVita teammates] couldn't help me as I wrote more than 11 drafts of my dissertation, they sure could cheer me on to keep fighting."

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About DaVita Inc.

DaVita Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company, is a leading provider of kidney care in the United States, providing dialysis services and education for patients with chronic kidney failure and end stage renal disease. DaVita has been recognized as the only FORTUNE 500 company on WorldBlu's annual List of Most Democratic Workplaces™. As of June 30, 2009, DaVita operated or provided administrative services at 1,493 outpatient dialysis facilities and acute units in approximately 700 hospitals located in 43 states and the District of Columbia, serving approximately 116,000 patients. As part of DaVita's commitment to building a healthy, caring community, DaVita develops, participates in and donates to numerous programs dedicated to transforming communities and creating positive, sustainable change for children, families and our environment. For more information about DaVita, its kidney education materials and its community programs, please visit www.davita.com.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: LeAnne.Zumwalt@davita.com

SOURCE: DaVita Inc.