Welcome to the

TAMPA

community

With the help of our communities in cities across the country and beyond, we provide a forum for patients who want to join in the fight to find treatments and cure for PKD.

Connect with us to find out how you can make a difference in the lives of thousands in the U.S. and millions worldwide.

 Tampa Community Meeting  

We are excited to invite you to our next meeting via video conference. Get acquainted with your new PKD Connect Ambassadors and connect with others in the PKD Community who share your journey. Share your story and gain insights from others who understand what you are going through. We will also provide helpful resources to assist you in managing life with PKD.

Event Details:

thursday, april 25, 2024
7 pm – 8 pm

Video conference link will be emailed upon registration.

 

 

Thank you to everyone who attended and supported the 2023 Walk for PKD. Information on the 2024 Walk for PKD season coming soon!

PKD Foundation Centers of Excellence badge in PKD Foundation purpleThe PKD Foundation is excited to the announce the newest cohort of Centers of Excellence, Partner Clinics, and Pediatric Clinics. If you are looking for the right healthcare providers to help you manage living with PKD, visit our Centers of Excellence page to learn more about the program and to find a Center of Excellence, Partner Clinic, or Pediatric Clinic.

There’s a new way ADPKD Registry participants can step up to provide hope today, and for future generations. The nation’s first dedicated ADPKD Registry is now also one of the first patient registries of any kind to integrate patient-provided health records. Share your health records through your provider’s online portal with a few simple steps on the ADPKD Registry. 

Now, as always, the PKD Foundation is committed to our mission of giving hope, advocating for patients, and building a community for all impacted by PKD. We'll continue supporting our community by providing important resources and timely updates on social media. If you have questions or need help navigating this unprecedented health crisis, we are here for you. Email or call (844) PKD-HOPE.

Melissa Coffman

PKD Connect Ambassador

It is an honor to be selected as the PKD Connect Co-Ambassador for the PKD Foundation’s Tampa Bay Community. As a caregiver to someone with ADPKD, I find myself passionate about helping others on their journey. I look forward to providing support and guidance and being accessible for those that may havequestions and concerns.  

My hobbies are photography, wildlife observation, and travel. In my spare time, I am a creative soul; I enjoy crafting, designing, and working on projects. Spending quality time with family and friends is something I enjoy and find most rewarding.

Lorin Valk

Walk for PKD Ambassador

I first learned about PKD from a young age because this disease has affected many of my family members. I love to volunteer and PKD is so near and dear to my heart–this is why I’m becoming a Co-Coordinator for the Walk. This will be my second year with the Tampa Chapter. So this is my journey to continue my family dream of finding the cure to end PKD!

Kylie Burcaw

PKD Connect Ambassador

Hi! My name is Kylie and I ama nursing and nutrition student at the University of Pennsylvania with a strong ambition to become a family medicine physician in the future. My passion lies in the intersection of healthcare and nutrition, particularly in the realmof plant-based nutrition. I spend a good amount of time reading about nutrition and PKD research, seeking to deepen my understanding of how diet can impact health outcomes. In my free time, I love immersing myself
in the study of languages, specifically Korean and Italian. I amoriginally from Tampa, Florida and hope to bring a diverse background and a genuine commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of others through my studies and personal interests.

I volunteer for the PKD Foundation because of my deep personal connection to the cause. With a family history of Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease (ADPKD), I witnessed the impact it can have on individuals and their loved ones. In March of 2022, I received my own diagnosis, further fueling my determination to make a difference. Volunteering for the PKD Foundation allows me to actively contribute to the fight against this genetic disorder, raising awareness, supporting research initiatives, and providing a network of resources for individuals affected by ADPKD. Through my involvement, I hope to bring hope and support to others facing similar challenges, and ultimately work towards finding a cure for this condition.

 

Harold Saul

Co-Walk for PKD Ambassador

Harold Saul is an attorney who practices in Tampa Florida. He has been involved with the PKD Foundation as a volunteer for over 25 years, having served as co-chapter coordinator for 2 different chapters, as well as serving on the Friends Advisory Committee (now the Volunteer Advisory Committee) and served on the PKD Foundation Board of Directors from 1997-2007. He is currently the co-chair of the Tampa Walk for PKD, and captains the team, Ivan’s Investors for a PKD Cure, in honor/memory of his father, Ivan Saul, who was a fierce advocate for PKD Patients.

Page last reviewed July 2023