PKD Walk

Most of you who read this blog have already received (or will receive) and email saying what I've written below. The luxury of blogs, though, is that I can include links for more information (I hate sending emails with lots of attachments).

On Sunday, September 17th, my mom, kids, and I are doing something incredible and fun. We're taking part in the PKD Foundation's Walk for the Cure in Kansas City. For those who know my family, you know that this walk is not just an event for a good cause. Its for a cause which is very personal to us. Nearly 4 years ago my grandmother passed away. Shirley Morris had PKD, polycystic kidney disease. We know that her grandfather had it. All of her children have been tested. One boy, my uncle Steve, and one girl, my mom Pam, have it as well. My cousins (Paul, Jacob, and Ben), my siblings (Aaron and Lexi) and I each have a 50% chance of having PKD. This disease is genetic, therefore unpreventable, and it has no cure. And its in my family.

PKD is as it sounds: multiple cysts growing in the kidneys. As more cysts form and the existing ones grow bigger, the kidneys increase in size and decrease in function. As the kidneys fail it sets off a chain reaction throughout the body. The speed of kidney failure varies in each patient. The symptoms can make it difficult to diagnose because there are few until the kidneys actually begin to fail. Being relatively unknown can make diagnosis difficult as well. If you want to know more than I can tell you right here....

http://www.pkdcure.org/site/PageServer?pagename=pkdabt_aboutPkd

The PKD Foundation is currently funding many research projects searching for a cure. The Walk for the Cure is a big way to help raise funds. More than that, it is a way to raise awareness. On September 16th and 17th, there will be walks all over the country as a part of this. People all over the country will be signing up and raising donations. I encourage any and all of you who might be interested to go to the PKD website and find a walk near you. Go walk! My main reason, however, for this post is to ask you to sponsor us, Pam's crew. If you can afford to do it, any amount is appreciated. No matter how big or small. Just think, a lot of people each giving a little bit is going to add up fairly quick. And its easy. Just go to this site...

http://www.pkdcure.org/site/TR?team_id=13810&pg=team&fr_id=1450

and click on "Support Pam's crew". If you just can't afford to help sponsor us, there are other ways to help. You could spread the word. Tell people about the disease. Tell them about the Foundation and the Walk. The more people know about this, the more we can do. Most importantly, though, you can pray. Pray for those who have PKD. Pray for the families and friends who love someone with PKD. And pray for good weather. ;)

Let's see what we can do, everyone!