The PKD Foundation is the only
organization, worldwide, dedicated to promoting research to find a
cure for polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and improving the care and
treatment of those it affects. Our vision is that “no one suffers
the full effects of PKD.”
The reason PKD was chosen this year is because I (Paula Sue Swope)
have personally experienced this genetic disease. My maternal
grandfather passed away from PKD. So have my Mother (on peritoneal
dialysis for 18 years) and her sister (received a donor kidney). My
uncle is still alive with the help of a donor kidney.
Nov 3, 1998, I gave a kidney to my sister. Today, my kidney is
helping her lead a normal life. She will always take anti-rejection
medication and she suffers from complications from the diseased
kidneys she still has and from the medications she takes. She has
two children; a daughter 18 and a son 16. I pray they don’t have the
disease but, if they do, I hope the PKD foundation has found a cure
or a treatment.
Thank you for helping the Gaited Gala donate to this foundation.
Paula Sue Swope
