Bride-to-Be Walks and Raises Money to End Life-Threatening, Genetic Kidney Disease

Join Kristen McAllister as she takes part in the North Texas Walk for PKD: Saturday, Sept. 26 at Rustin City Park in Southlake Town Square.

(Southlake, Tex.) Tuesday, Aug. 4, 2009 – Kristen McAllister is one of 600,000 Americans and 12.5 million worldwide – including more than 50 in Southlake alone – affected by polycystic kidney disease (PKD).

PKD is one of the world’s most common, life-threatening genetic diseases, often causing kidney failure and death. Kristen was working on a cruise ship in Hawaii when the ship’s doctor discovered she had unusually high blood pressure for a 23-year-old. She was sent home to figure out her medical problems. It was then that doctors diagnosed Kristen with PKD. “I thought to myself, I am 23 and I have kidney disease – my life is over,’” Kristen said. After months of depression, she decided to start a new life with the help of her mother and her fiancé, Bryan. Kristen is now living in Amarillo and plans to attend college. She knows it is easy to be negative, but she tries her best to stay positive and overcome PKD.

That’s why she’s fighting back and encouraging her North Texas area 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 North Texas Walk for PKD is planned for Saturday, September 26 at Rustin City Park 1400 Main Street in Southlake, Tex. Registration begins at 8 a.m. with the Walk kicking off at 9 a.m. for the Children’s Walk and 10 a.m. for the General Walk for PKD.

Like Kristen, you can walk – and fundraise – too. Registration and fundraising for the North Texas Walk for PKD will begin in June at www.pkdcure.org. Proceeds from the Walk for PKD will help fund vital PKD research, education, advocacy and awareness, all aimed at finding a treatment and cure for PKD.

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.

Learn more and sign up to Walk for PKD at www.pkdcure.org or by calling 1-800-PKD-CURE. Carolyn Morris, North Texas Walk for PKD Chairperson, can be reached by calling 817-488-6650.