Hired Guns blogger and Get Your Blog On instructor Bill Brazell inherited polycystic kidney disease, aka PKD, from his dad. The disorder often causes elevated blood pressure in those that have it, and it can also cause kidney failure and early death. PKD took the life of Bill’s first cousin when he was just 35, leaving two young children behind. And Bill’s sister and brother both have it as well.
Although few people have heard of PKD, it’s relatively common, affecting roughly 1 in every 500 people. This means that more people have it than have muscular dystrophy, sickle-cell anemia, Huntington’s disease, Down syndrome, hemophilia, and cystic fibrosis combined.
There’s important research being down right now, and experimental drugs are helping to slow the progression of the disease in some patients. Bill and others want to make sure this important research continues — especially during tough economic times like this one.
To help raise awareness, as well as the money needed to find a cure for PKD, Bill dresses each year as a giant kidney and Walks for PKD. (He also made a music video to the tune of a Weezer song — see below.)
To help him and everyone else affected by this disease, please make a donation on Bill’s behalf — the Tristate Walk for PKD is this Sunday, October 23.
Let’s share the love, and show the PKD community what The Hired Guns can do!
