The Northeast Ohio Walk for PKD raises money to treat and cure polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
Northeast Ohio – This year, many families around Northeast Ohio will join thousands nationwide to come together and walk in support of those affected by polycystic kidney disease (PKD). PKD is one of the most common, life-threatening genetic kidney diseases. It affects thousands in America and millions worldwide, who are in urgent need of treatments and a cure. It is the fourth leading cause of kidney failure.
The 2018 Northeast Ohio Walk for PKD is planned for Saturday September 15th at Bedford Reservation, Egbert Picnic Area, Buckeye Trail, Bedford, OH 44146, with PKD patients, their families, friends and members of the PKD medical community fundraising and walking together to unite to fight and end PKD. Registration is at 8:30am – 9:45, with the walk beginning at 10am.
Ashley Heffner and her team, Pearls of Hope, have been participating in the Walk for PKD since 2013 in honor of her father, Tom Heffner and grandmother Pearl Heffner. Ashley has PKD and the disease has affected others in her family for generations. Through her involvement with the Foundation, Ashley has found a way to feel like she’s making a difference for her loved ones … and raise awareness of a disease that isn’t as well-known as other chronic diseases.
“As the volunteer walk coordinator, I have the opportunity to meet so many new people and hear their PKD stories. It also gives me the chance to raise awareness, funds and support for those with PKD and their families. With 100% of all donations going directly to research, education, advocacy, support and awareness, we will make a difference!”
The annual Walk for PKD is the signature fundraising and public awareness event for the PKD Foundation and is the largest gathering of PKD patients, family, friends and supporters; more than 11,000 strong. The Walk for PKD is hosted in more than 50 cities nationwide. Since 2000, the Walk for PKD has raised nearly $24 million. This money raised supports the PKD Foundation’s efforts to fund research to find treatments and a cure, and to provide information and support to people affected by PKD.
Register for the Northeast Walk for PKD at https://pkdfoundation.salsalabs.org/northeastohiowalk/index.html.
About PKD
PKD patients are in urgent need of treatments and a cure. PKD causes uncontrolled growth of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys, often leading to kidney failure. Once a person has kidney failure, dialysis or a transplant are the only options to treat the damage the disease has caused.
There are two types of PKD: autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) and autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD). ADPKD is more common and affects an estimated 600,000 Americans and 12.4 million people worldwide. Parents with ADPKD have a 50 percent chance of passing it on to each of their children. Approximately 10 percent of the people diagnosed with ADPKD have no family history of the disease, with PKD developing as a spontaneous (new) mutation. Once they have it, they have a 50 percent chance of passing it on to each of their children. The less common form, ARPKD affects approximately 1 in 20,000 children, and often causes death in the first month of life. Only 70% of children born with ARPKD survive the newborn period and one-third of those who survive will need dialysis or transplantation by age 10.
About the PKD Foundation
The PKD Foundation is the only organization in the United States solely dedicated to finding treatments and a cure for PKD.
Our mission: We give hope. We fund research, advocate for patients and build a community for all affected by polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
Our Vision: #endPKD
