Visual Editors
Visual Editors, NFP was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 2004.
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Paul Wallen
Maestro
Joined: 27 Mar 2004
Posts: 292
Location: Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Posted:
Sat Aug 25, 2007 12:08 pm
|
|
| |
Dear friends,
I had never heard of PKD – Polycystic Kidney Disease – when I first met Diane Kohler nearly 12 years ago. Back then, I had no idea that PKD is the most common of all life-threatening genetic diseases.
But you tend to learn the most about the things that hit closest to home, I guess that's the way life works. Diane and I have come a long way since that first meeting (and moved a long way too!), and we just celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary.
Over those 10 years, I learned about PKD as I watched Diane's mother, Martha, suffer through 18 months of dialysis. Thankfully, she received a kidney transplant in 2001 and is now doing very well.
I also learned that Diane has early stage PKD, meaning cysts are on her kidneys (but she has no other symptoms at this time.) We have also met a lot of wonderful people through the PKD Foundation, people who are suffering with this disease and have lost loved ones to it.
You see, PKD is a family disease, passed down from one generation to the next. PKD causes fluid filled cysts to form on kidneys. In addition to causing pain and infection when the cysts burst, PKD cysts cause the kidneys to become very large and eventually to shut down, leading to dialysis or a transplant to survive.
Diane's mother has PKD. Diane has PKD. If Diane and I have children (don't get excited mom, that's a hypothetical if! :), they would probably have it.
In fact, PKD affects 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million people worldwide. That's more than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, sickle cell anemia, hemophilia and Down's syndrome combined, and still few people know about it. There is no treatment and no cure... Yet.
We are working to change that.
On September 15, Diane and Paul Wallen and Martha Kohler will be participating in the Walk for PKD. Our team, PMD for PKD, has set a challenging goal of $1500 to fund research to find a cure. To make a real difference, we need your help.
Would you would consider making a small, secure donation online? Simply click on the link at the bottom of this message. Whatever you can give will help - no donation is too small!
We truly appreciate your support and will keep you posted on our progress. Thank you for helping us help find a cure for PKD!
Sincerely,
Paul Wallen Jr.
http://www.pkdcure.org/site/TR/Events/MiamiChapter?px=1395608&pg=personal&fr_id=1725&et=LWEewxJIcqh8zUIuF-Oztw..&s_tafId=14321
_________________
Just remember that it's a grand illusion. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
| |
|
|
Previous topic
Next topic
This is a good cause, the walk is coming up soon. Even the smallest donations are very much appreciated!