DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INCLUDES PKD RESEARCH AMONG PEER REVIEWED FUNDING PROJECTS FOR FY 2008

PKD Researchers can apply for grants from $50 million in DOD funding.

(Washington, DC) November 19, 2007— Research aimed to save the lives of 600,000 Americans including as many as 5,000 active military personnel could be funded by the Department of Defense. President Bush last week, signed the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2008, which includes peer approved research of polycystic kidney disease. (PKD).

Twenty-one diseases and other health related issues are eligible for funding under the program. PKD is one of the most common, life-threatening, genetic diseases. PKD causes cysts to form on the kidneys. Eventually the kidneys fail. Dialysis and transplantation are the only treatments for kidney failure. There is no cure for PKD.

This highly respected program allows researchers to apply for funding. Projects are reviewed by an independent board of scientists for research merit. In 2006, Dr. Thomas Weimbs, a PKD researcher at UC-Santa Barbara, applied and was awarded a grant for $1.25 million over five years. Since 1999, $344.5 million has been awarded in research grants through the program.
The PKD Foundation leads the fight against polycystic kidney disease (PKD) through patient education, advocacy and research funding. In 2007, the PKD Foundation will fund $4.2 million in PKD research. To arrange interviews, contact Media Manager, Jennifer Robinson at 1-800-PKD-CURE or jenniferr@pkdcure.org.