Walk for PKD

A few weeks ago, I received an email from the PKD Foundation asking if we'd like to share Stephen's story to help promote the Walk for PKD to raise money and awareness for Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD).  Cities around the country will be holding walks this Fall to raise money to help find a cure for this terrible disease.  Currently there is no cure or medication available to prevent and/or treat both forms of PKD; ADPKD and ARPKD.

Today, the PKD Foundation published what I submitted along with a picture of Stephen.  I hope that through our story, at least get one person will consider signing up for a walk or donating to the PKD Foundation.


Below is the what was published.  You can also see it here:  http://eepurl.com/o3JPP

My son Stephen is one of the many faces of PKD.  He was diagnosed with ARPKD before he was born when doctor's discovered his kidneys had completely stopped functioning.  Because there is nothing that can be done in utero to fix a baby's kidneys, doctors gave Stephen a very small chance at life.  But Stephen has proven to be a fighter and has overcome much in his short 19-months, including having both kidneys removed at 6 days old and living on peritoneal dialysis.  He is a beautiful, vibrant, and happy little boy who is waiting to receive his gift of life via a kidney transplant.  Please form a Walk for PKD team or join an existing team and help us raise money for research so we can better understand PKD and how to prevent future children from inheriting this disease.          - Lindsay Schwartz

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Autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is a rare form of polycystic kidney disease affecting 1 in 20,000 infants and newborns. Everything raised from the Walk for PKD can help those, just like Stephen, who face the challenge of fighting PKD every single day. 

It's easy to do. Go to walkforpkd.org to register and start fundraising today. Donations, big and small, make a difference. Last year, ARPKD families raised more than $200,000 during the Walk for PKD. Let's raise even more this year, so we can get closer to the finish line. 

By giving a little time, and raising a little money...you'll give A LOT of hope. Hope that one day, there will be a cure for ARPKD - so stories like Stephen's, will be a thing of the past.

Register and fundraise for your local Walk for PKD today and see what a difference you can make. Share Stephen's story with your friends and family and ask if they'd like to contribute to this cause.