Motorcyclist Promotes PKD through Racing
Jared Chonko makes being diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) seem more like an opportunity than a threat.
“I am out to create awareness,” Jared said. “But I’m also out to prove that people with the PKD can continue on living life and being active, which I believe is the key to maintaining good health.”
Jared is a 28 year-old off-road motorcyclist who is spreading awareness of PKD through his love of racing. He has had his bike permanently embedded with the PKD logo and has set out to inform teammates and fans about the disease.
“Most people are shocked to learn the number affected by PKD, but they are more surprised by the number of people who know nothing about such a prevalent and serious disease,” Jared said.
By being active, Jared has grown accustomed to dealing with aches and pains. However, two months ago he received a physical from a new doctor. During his visit with the doctor, Jared complained of some strange, although not severe, pains in the area of his kidneys. Later, a CT scan revealed that he had multiple cysts on his kidneys.
Although he was concerned, Jared was determined to fight. He had not previously heard of PKD. His family members are currently being tested, but no one has been diagnosed with the disease. Jared doesn’t want others to find out about PKD like he did. Since being diagnosed, he has done extensive research to learn as much information about the disease as possible. The search for answers has been helpful but frustrating for him.
“The biggest challenge has been learning about the disease,” Jared said. “I have read many articles and talked to many people, but when you are personally affected, you always want to know more and more. Sometimes there just aren’t any answers to your questions.”
Once Jared was properly educated on PKD, he decided it was time to take action.
“Being quiet has never been my style,” Jared said. “Realizing how many other people are affected by the disease gave me more reason to get involved and create awareness. I have the opportunity now to do something. So why wait?”
Jared is involved with the off-road motorcycle community both as a national sales manager and as a racer. He climbed on his first bike when he was 5 and has been competing since he was 11 years old. When Jared was diagnosed with PKD, he knew his racing career might be in jeopardy. But, with his doctor’s permission, he continues to race and does so with greater passion.
Jared wanted to create awareness for a mass of people so he turned to his racing. He races in 12 to 15 races a year and each race has more than 1,000 competitors as well as several thousand spectators. Jared knew he could really make an impact with such a huge audience.
Jared said that the response to the logo has been great. Most people that Jared has met have never heard of PKD. When asked about the logo, he explains the basics of the disease and then advises him/her to visit the PKD Foundation’s web site to learn more.
Besides his job and racing, Jared also jogs, mountain bikes and plays golf regularly. He feels that being active is good for everyone no matter what their condition in life. He believes that staying active creates happiness and hope for individuals.
Jared has one piece of advice for everyone who has been diagnosed with PKD:
“Life is too short to be bummed out all the time. I feel you deal with mishaps as they come. Focus on the positive stuff and try not to dwell on the negative. I don’t mean that you should ignore the negative things. Just try and find the positive in it. Never give up hope because we are all in this together.”
