Charleston Walk for PKD coming up

Hannah Carter is one of 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million worldwide – including more than 200 in Charleston alone – affected by polycystic kidney disease, also known as PKD.

PKD is one of the world’s most common, life-threatening genetic diseases, often causing kidney failure and death. Hannah, only 12 years old, is a PKD patient. She inherited the disease from her father, who died after suffering a heart attack in February of this year. Several of Hannah’s relatives also have suffered the disease, and a transplant may help her escape the same fate. Provided he is a match, her twin brother has pledged to be a donor. If she does get his kidney, Hannah said, “We’ll be like 50 and he’ll still be reminding me.” Hannah dreams of becoming a kidney doctor. In spite of limits on the sports she can play and the food she can eat, Hannah tries her best to be a regular kid.

That’s why she’s fighting back and encouraging her Charleston community to join her by registering and raising money for the Walk for PKD, the PKD Foundation’s signature fundraising event taking place this fall in 60 cities across the country.

The Charleston Walk for PKD is planned for Saturday, Oct. 10th at River Front Park, North Charleston, S.C. Registration begins at 9 a.m. with the Walk kicking off at 10 a.m.

Like Hannah, you can walk – and fundraiser – too. Registration and fundraising for the Charleston Walk for PKD will begin in June. Learn more and sign up to Walk for PKD at their website, call them at 1-800-PKD-CURE.

PKD causes cysts to grow on the kidneys, eventually leading to kidney failure. Parents with the disease have a 50 percent chance of passing it on to each of their children. Currently, dialysis and transplantation are the only treatments. There is no cure for PKD.