Why I Walk…

Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a hideous disease.  It causes fluid filled cysts to grow uncontrollably inside the kidneys, enlarging them and destroying their ability to filter toxins from the bloodstream.  It causes physical pain to its victims, and emotional pain for those who love and care for them.  It is a family disease....there is a 50% chance of inheritance from an affected parent. But most importantly, at this moment in time, there is no treatment or cure for PKD.

I HAVE PKD. The diagnosis came after a one week stay in the hospital and a three week battle for recovery.  I also learned that neither of my parents had this and that I represent approximatley 15% of all PKD patients who have PKD as the result of random genetic mutation.  Nonetheless, due to the dominant nature of this disease, both our daughters, Erica and Kim, are at risk for having inherited this from me.....a chilling thought that has inspired me to take an active role as a full time volunteer for the PKD Foundation.  Since my diagnosis I have participated in 2 observational imaging studies for PKD patients at Emory University, a dosing study for a possible drug therapy called "Tolvaptan" in Orlando,  lead our local volunteer Memphis Chapter, and proudly serve as a current member of the PKD Foundation Board of Trustees.

I walk for PKD because my children, my grandchildren, and the children of the 12.5 million PKD victims around the world are depending on the PKD Foundation to make a difference.  If we don't do this, then who will? 

WE MUST FIND A TREATMENT AND A CURE.....NOW! 

Won't you please join me in my efforts by making a donation on our behalf?

Polycystic kidney disease is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases, affecting more people that Down syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy and sickle cell anemia - combined.

The PKD Foundation is here to ensure that someday, no one suffers the full effects of PKD. The PKD Foundation aggressively seeks to convert:

· Ignorance into knowledge through high quality patient education materials

· Despair into hope through communications, support groups and research advances

· Isolation into community by involvement in more than 70 PKD Foundation chapters and by lobbying congress

· Ideas into reality through the research the Foundation funds and through clinical drug trials

· Basic science into therapies through ‘translational’ grants and the Foundation’s work with FDA

· Small dollars into large dollars by leveraging grants into expanded PKD National Institute of Health (NIH) research through ‘passionate advocacy’


And it is your financial support that makes this all possible. Please help me make a difference by making a donation today!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST, YOUR LOVE, AND YOUR SUPPORT!

Sincerely,

Karyn Waxman

PKD Foundation Memphis Chapter Coordinator

PKD Foundation Board of Trustees Member