Published on June 30, 2022 | Since 2000, one event has been the signature fundraising event for polycystic kidney disease: the Walk for PKD. Over the past 20 years, it’s raised more than $34 million for PKD research. Although the COVID-19 pandemic kept us from celebrating in person, we’re excited to reunite and walk together this year. Here’s your refresher on what to expect for the 2022 Walk for PKD.

How Do I Get Started?

The PKD Foundation is ecstatic to once again walk with you in-person. And joining the Walk for PKD is easy. First, you’ll register for the Walk at walkforpkd.org. Here, you’ll be able to find the closest Walk for PKD event to you or you can opt to join our virtual event. With nearly 50 events across the country, everyone can join us!  

The Walk for PKD is family-friendly and a great opportunity to meet others in the community. Whether you’re a patient, caregiver, or clinician, all are welcome.

This map shows the location of each Walk for PKD event in the country for 2022.

What Does Walk for PKD Fundraising Support?

When you fundraise for the Walk for PKD, you make a difference in the lives of hundreds of thousands in America and millions worldwide living with PKD. Every year, 100% of each Walk donation funds life-saving research. Those donations support research in three primary ways:

Funding PKD Research

This year, we awarded new research funding to 11 outstanding PKD researchers. The goal of this critical research is to increase understanding of the genetic and pathological processes involved in PKD and to accelerate the development of potential therapies for PKD patients.

Growing the ADPKD Registry

Since launching the ADPKD Registry, we’ve helped recruit for nine clinical studies and contacted nearly 3,400 eligible participants. This ensures that PKD research continues to move forward.

Expanding Our Leadership Role in PKDOC

In order to bring treatments to patients faster, the Polycystic Kidney Disease Outcomes Consortium (PKDOC) was formed. This pathway establishes the PKD Treatment Pipeline, which tracks the various PKD treatments in clinical trials from discovery through Phase 3.

Fundraising for the 2022 Walk for PKD

Once you register for the Walk, you’ll need to set up your fundraising page in Classy. In order to set yourself up for success, add photos and your personal story about why you’re walking for PKD. As you fundraise, you can find more tools and resources to help you reach your goal here.

Need some Walk for PKD swag? You can get early access to your Walk for PKD t-shirt. By raising $100 by August 15,  you’ll receive a code to redeem this year’s t-shirt. The shirt will be mailed directly to you just in time for your Walk for PKD event. Be sure to keep an eye on our social media for a reveal of this year’s t-shirt design.

Download these social media graphics at https://walkforpkd.org/fundraising/.

Beyond sharing photos in your Walk for PKD gear, social media a great fundraising tool. Share photos and videos with your friends and family outlining why this event is important to you and how their donations will help. At walkforpkd.org/fundraising, you’ll find graphics designed to highlight your progress and inspire donations.

In just a few months, 2022 Walk for PKD events will begin around the country. Together, we’ll show the strength and determination of this community in the fight to #endPKD. And our Walk team is here to support you every step of the way. If you have any questions about the Walk or fundraising, contact our team. Let’s get fundraising!