At my summer family reunion vacation this year, I organized a Party for the PKD Foundation that was sponsored through a Thrivent Financial Action Grant. Through the grant, I got $250 that I used to purchase refreshments for the party, and then about 45 adults and 15 kids (all my extended family) got together to celebrate. I collected money from the attendees (and my brother donated directly), for a total of $500 that we are sending to the Foundation!
I found out that I have PKD just about a year and a half ago, and given that I am the first in my family to have PKD (due to a mutation) I’ve extensively relied upon pkdcure.org and the PKD Foundation to educate myself about what to expect. I’m so thankful for the Foundation’s optimistic, but realistic educational materials; and since I have 3 kids (with another on the way) I am very supportive and excited about the research that the Foundation supports as well.
My hope is that this year’s party is just the first of many annual events to come. I’d encourage other folks to find programs like the Thrivent Action Grant to help set up their own fundraisers as well! It was not a whole lot of work, and it was a lot of fun. Most importantly, we get to support the PKD Foundation!
