ARPKD Chapter

ARPKD Families...Connected 

For years now there are hundreds of walkers that come out on Walk for PKD day to honor the lives and memories of their loved ones with ARPKD. The 2009 Walk for PKD will be no different.

Last year the ARPKD Chapter was able to arrange a feature during registration for the Walk for PKD that allowed ARPKD families set up their teams in a “Division” – a way of connecting the ARPKD families across the world as one powerful group within the larger PKD community. Last year alone the PKD Foundation had 66 teams registered as “Walking for ARPKD” at over 34 walk events raising more than $202,000. Out of 32 teams recognized in the inaugural class of TeamFirst teams, 7 were ARPKD- designated teams.

Joining on a local level or hosting your own “Virtual Walk” under the “Walking for ARPKD” designation is a great way to connect locally and nationally with other families affected by PKD, including those with ARPKD. It allows you to be a part of a larger community serving the same goal…that no one suffers the full effects of PKD. And if there is a walk in your area to attend, it’s a fun and powerful way to do something positive to help support research, education and advocacy for PKD. If you have questions about how your family can join or how you can get support year round, please contact Michele Karl (914-522-6193) or arpkdchapter@pkdcure.org.

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The ARPKD Chapter is doing a fundraiser and we need your kid’s help!

This holiday season, send best wishes to loved ones and support the PKD Foundation all in one act with PKD Foundation greeting cards!  Each card features one of three designs created by children with ARPKD.

Call 1-800-PKD-CURE to order sets of 15 for $20 each

We will do holiday cards again in 2010 (and possibly note cards if we get enough drawings that are generic) and printing them with greetings (or blank) and providing envelopes in packs of 15.

Here’s the scoop!

• We welcome kids under 12 - living with ARPKD and ADPKD - to submit artwork/drawings that can be scanned (flat). Artwork will be printed in full-color, so color away! We recommend colored markers over crayon – as they will reproduce better. But crayon drawings are welcome. Please use white 8.5 x 11 paper (no line rules). There is no limit on how many drawings you can submit!
• Be thinking seasonal pictures – Snowmen, Snowy Scenes, Christmas, Hanukah, Toys/Gifts/Stockings, as well as generic – cards that could be used for anything!
• We need permission to use a short 2-3 sentence about your child that we can print on the back. You do not need to use your child’s last name if you don’t want to. Here is an example, Gage, born in 1999, was diagnosed with ARPKD when he was 3 and his sister was diagnosed at birth. When Gage was 7 he went on dialysis and later received a kidney from a family friend. Currently, he is thriving, and enjoying soccer, boy scouts, pizza (not allowed on dialysis!) and enough energy to tree climb endlessly! The PKD Foundation reserves the right to edit.
• Renderings need to be postmarked by August 31, 2010 and sent to: Tara Fitzgerald, PKD Foundation, 9221 Ward Parkway, Suite 400 , Kansas City , MO 64114-3367 . Do not fold, and mail in non-bendable packaging.
• Currently, we’re looking at having 8-12 different images to print on cards and to sell in packs of 12 card/blank envelopes. Selections on how many and what types of packages will be printed depend on what artwork is submitted. If one of your drawings is selected, you will be notified by the PKD Foundation this Fall.
• Selection of artwork is responsibility of PKD Foundation staff and marketing department and decisions are final. Artwork becomes the property of the PKD Foundation and cannot be returned.Pre-order dates and sales will be promoted on the PKD Foundation website as well as through Chapter Coordinators.

Thanks in advance for your participation! I know it’s early – but let’s break out some holiday music and get those cute kids coloring!