The walk aims to raise funds to research deadly polycystic kidney disease with the hopes of finding a cure.
SAN ANTONIO — KENS5 has been a proud supporter of the Polycystic Kidney Foundation and their annual walk to bring attention to a disease that has no cure. The journey for patients can be unique and challenge, but can also result in resilience and determination.
Polycystic Kidney Disease, or PKD for short, is a genetic mutation that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys. The disease can be deadly, but through education, the community, and support, those living with the disease are able to live a better life.
“We found out that out of the six children, four of us have PKD,” said Patti Ruffin who was just 16 years old when she found out she had PKD. Her father also suffered from the condition, as did several siblings. Ruffin told us, “My older sister Karen, she had the disease and she passed away one week after my transplant from a cerebral bleed.”
The American Kidney Fund says about 750,000 Americans live with PKD. The cysts caused by the disease can enlarge the kidneys and cause kidney pain, kidney stones, or even kidney failure. And about half of those with PKD experience kidney failure by the time they are 60 years old.
This December will be 20 years since Ruffin had both of her kidneys removed, and a living donor transplant from a co-worker. She says having a support system, including her husband Mark, who now volunteers and donates to the PKD Foundation, is a must. He told us, “She’s taking care of herself and eating right, exercise, all that kind of stuff. So she’s actually done a great job. She’s a perfect patient.” Ruffin added, “We do everything together, we do housecleaning together, and we do, we do all kinds of stuff together, but we live every day to the fullest.”
This Saturday the PKD foundation is holding its annual Walk for PKD, a nationwide walk to bring awareness to the disease, connect the community, and raise funds for research. Ruffin, who is a fundraising ambassador for the foundation said, “It’s just a fun family event. But the biggest thing is people coming together to learn how they can support each other.”