This event has ended but you can still make a donation! Please help us in our fight to knock out PKD!
Step up to FIGHT PKD
When it comes to PKD, now is the time for a knockout! We’re fighting PKD head on and we’re going to win. In our corner - YOU - along with 77 cents of every dollar you raise directly funds critical programs of PKD research, education, advocacy, support and awareness.
Register and begin fundraising today!
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Fight PKD Head On – Take the 20/20 Vision Challenge
As those affected by PKD, our vision of the future is clear – AN END TO PKD! That’s why we’re taking the 20/20 Vision Challenge and asking 20 friends to donate $20 each. Join us—it’s easy and effective.
Do you know 20 people you can ask for $20 each? Of course you do! All you need to do now is reach out and ask them to make an investment towards a future free of PKD. With this simple request alone, you can raise $400 to help find treatments and a cure for PKD.
The impact of our 20/20 Vision can truly change lives! Last year, if all 12,000 Walk participants had taken the 20/20 Vision Challenge and raised $400 each, nearly $5 million could have been raised for PKD research and education.
Make 2011 the year we all join the 20/20 Vision Challenge and exceed our goal of raising $2.5 million to find treatments and a cure for PKD. Join us as we fight PKD and WIN!
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Look at the Hero’s who walk among us!
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Pam Mizerany my heroine. In 1975 at age 20, I was diagnosed with PKD just after I started my nursing job at Tampa General Hospital. I was blessed in many ways. First, with the diagnosis came the desire to learn all I could about my PKD. What better place to learn than TGH and the starting of the kidney transplant unit there. Then a few years later, finding Allen & Kay Poindexter who have been instrumental in our Suncoast PKD group to this very day! Secondly, when I reached age 56 and was in kidney failure, I was blessed that my RN coworker and friend, Pam Mizerany, was willing to donate one of her kidneys to me. Pam and I walked together in the 2010 PKD Walk. A month later, I received Pam's kidney. THANK YOU to all who support PKD research as well as ALL the amazing organ donors!
Debbie Ismer – Kidney Recipient
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Dona Foster my heroine. In August 2004, Dona a long time acquaintance returned to our Church and found that I had lost both of my kidneys to PKD, was on Dialysis and in dire need of a kidney. Without hesitation she volunteered one of her kidneys. The next day she was in contact with LifeLink and set up an appointment to be checked as a donor. She was a match and on October 21, 2004 she gave me the gift of life. She said she felt the Lord lead her back to our Church to give me a kidney. The morning of our Surgery Our Minister was there to anoint us; we both felt such peace going into surgery. What a beautiful experience for both of us. Six years later, needless to say, Dona is my precious earthly angel; and this supremely courageous angel says she would do it all over again. (The picture to the left was taken at the 2004 PKD Walk just one month before our surgery.)
Joan Sever – Kidney Recipient
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Lou Anne and Dena have been best friends since 1966. PKD ran in Lou Anne’s family and in 1981 she was diagnosed with the disease. At that time Dena told her if she ever needed a kidney Lou Anne could have one of hers. She kept saying it for the next 27 years. When it became apparent that Lou Anne was either going to need a transplant or go on dialysis, Dena made good on her promise. As fate would have it, she was the best match available! The testing and surgery went great and in 5 months they were both back to running their dogs in agility trials.
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Don Larson and I have shared many experiences together as we have known each other since grade school. We even bought our first house together when we were about 20 years old. Little did we know that we would end up sharing our kidneys. But in May of 2004 that is just what was needed due to the damages done to Don’s kidneys by PKD. Don and I continue to share many things in life, one of which is working towards a cure for this disease. By walking, we raise awareness of PKD and funds for a cure. I hope you will share this day with us.
Dave Zitnik – Kidney Donor
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My sister Genneane Rowley felt like it was a special reason for living when she was asked to donate a kidney for me in 1994. After waiting more than eight years for it to happen she still was a very willing candidate to endure travel between here and Oklahoma for tests, counseling, etc., and she was an inspiration to me to look forward to life again. She is quite selfless and continues to give to me emotionally and I am proud to have a "part" of my sister with me always.
Kay Poindexter – Kidney Recipient
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2011 Awards
Karen B Henderson Courageous Spirit Award - This award will be presented to an individual in recognition of their courageous spirit in dealing with PKD.
Kylie O’Gorman Top Fund Raiser Award - This award will be presented to the individual who raised the most for the Walk.
Ivan Saul Top Fund Raising Team - This award will be presented to the top fund raising team.
Karen B Henderson Top Rookie Team – For the top fundraising rookie team.
Long Distance Award – For the Walk participant who traveled the most miles to come to the walk.
Ivan Saul Survivors Game Award – Winning team from the survivor’s games.
President’s Message
Dear Members, Families and Friends,
Now is the time to get involved. After all if we do not let people know how they can help, who will? If not now, when? As we get closer to finding a treatment for PKD, we must all raise our efforts and work even harder to help fund research and reach the goal we are all fighting for; a goal that will finally give our families relief and release the pain and suffering of 12.5 million people worldwide. I encourage each and every one of you to do what you can to make the 2011 Tampa Bay Walk for PKD, sponsored by the local Tampa Bay Chapter of PKDF, a huge success. Your Walk Team has worked hard all year to get ready for this, our only Fund Raiser, now it is your turn to get involved. I’m looking forward to seeing all of you at the walk.
Joan Sever, President PKDF Tampa Bay Chapter
Driving Directions to Fort DeSoto
From East and North: Take I-4 west or I-75 south to I-275. Go south on I-275 through Tampa and continue on I-275 across Tampa Bay via the Howard Frankland Bridge to St. Petersburg. Continue south on I-275 past the downtown St. Petersburg exits – all the way to Eckerd College at Exit No. 17 (old Exit No. 4) – Pinellas Bayway/St.Petersburg Beach. Take this exit and bear right as the exit splits. Follow the final directions below.
From the South: Take I-75 north to I-275 and the Sunshine Skyway. After you cross Tampa Bay via the Sunshine Skyway, take Exit No. 17 (old exit No. 4) Pinellas Bayway/St. Petersburg Beach – which is a left exit. Turn left at the traffic light onto 54th. Avenue South. Follow the final directions below.
From Pinellas County: Take I-275 south past the downtown St. Petersburg exits – all the way to Eckerd College at Exit No. 17 (old Exit No. 4) – Pinellas Bayway/St.Petersburg Beach. Take this exit and bear right as the exit splits. Follow the final directions below.
Final Directions: Travel 2.3 miles west and make a left turn at a light onto Pinellas Bayway S (FL-679). Highway signs will indicate that this is the way to Tierra Verde and Fort DeSoto. Travel 6.4 miles until Pinellas Bayway S ends, you’ll see the Fort De Soto Park flag pole. Turn right on what is Anderson Blvd, heading toward North Beach – follow the PKD signs. Shelter 6 is about 3 miles from the flag pole.