If You Don't Carry It, Cure It! (PKD)

[okarol]

The PKD Foundation

If You Don't Carry It, Cure It!

Phyllis Beckley has been fortunate enough to escape the hold that Polycystic Kidney Disease once had on her family.

After generations of family members being affected by this genetic disease, Phyllis has started a new trend in her family - altruistic kidney donations. Both Phyllis and her daughter, Laura, have unselfishly and anonymously become living kidney donors.

Phyllis’s family has been affected by PKD for generations; she refers to the women in her family as "motherless daughters." Phyllis feels it is a miracle that the disease is no longer present in her immediate family.

"I believe that each of us comes into this world when we are supposed to and to fulfill a certain purpose," she said.

Having watched her family struggle with PKD and become pioneers in research, Phyllis began the process of physical and psychological test to become a kidney donor.

After months of medical and spiritual preparation, Phyllis received word that she would be able to become a donor. At the age of 61 with strong support of husband Jim, family and friends, Phyllis became an altruistic kidney donor at the Seattle, Swedish Medical Center, in the organ transplant program on Aug. 25, 2003.

"The reward of donating a kidney was never to meet the recipient but to honor the memory of my grandmother, mother, and aunt," Phyllis said.

But one day Phyllis opened her mail box to find a small envelope addressed to her, and she immediately knew who it was from her recipient. On Aug.18, 2004, Phyllis had the chance to meet the man that received her kidney.

"The experience of giving life to another adult is beyond words," Phyllis said. "That day was very spiritual and emotional."

Phyllis and her family are continuing to raise awareness of PKD. On May 3, 2005, her daughter, Laura - with the strong support of her husband Curt, family and friends - passed on the miracle of life by donating her kidney.

Phyllis will also be participating in the Walk for PKD in Seattle on Sunday, Sept. 17. Phyllis will walk with five of her close friends.

Phyllis truly believes that anyone who wants to become a living donor needs to be in a place in their life where becoming a donor is about doing it for yourself - not for the recognition.

Phyllis is making a call to action for all of the people in the world who have been lucky enough to escape the affects that PKD can have on your life: "I want to see people who don’t have the disease get involved!"


From: http://www.pkdcure.org/If%20You%20Don't%20Carry%20It,%20Cure%20It!/tabid/233/Default.aspx