The facts about Polycystic Kidney Disease

The facts about Polycystic Kidney Disease

Monica Robins
Created: 3/12/2008 4:54:31 PM

CLEVELAND -- PKD affects more people than Down Syndrome, Cystic Fibrosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Hemophilia and sickle cell anemia combined.
It's the number one genetic cause of kidney failure and affects about 600,000 Americans.

But it receives little research funding and there is no cure for PKD.

Pat Bloom and her sister, Cindy Mocilnikar both inherited the disease from their mother.

Out of six children, three of them developed PKD.

PKD causes cysts to grow on the kidneys, causing them to enlarge and, eventually, fail.

Both Pat and Cindy are hoping to avoid years of dialysis by getting kidney transplants.

Both women are working with living donors. Some people are willing to donate a kidney to a friend or family member, but others are willing to donate altruistically.

People can survive with just one working kidney.

PKD Symptoms include:

* pain in back/stomach

* blood in urine

* kidney stones

* frequent urinary tract infection

* heart problems/stroke

* family history

If you'd like more information on PKD or organ donation, click on the links: http://www.pkdcure.org - http://www.lifebanc.org/

To learn more about the Northeast Ohio PKD chapter and its September walk for a cure, send an email to northeastohiowalk@pkdcure.org.

http://www.wkyc.com/news/health/health_article.aspx?storyid=84983

Click on http://www.wkyc.com/video/news/health/player.aspx?aid=57699&bw= to watch Monica Robins' story.