Voices Archive

Alex Coglianese

Why I Walk: Alex Coglianese The PKD Foundation has been a landmark in Alex Coglianese’s life for as long as she can remember. Born the same year as the Foundation’s establishment, she recalls her beloved father, Fred, a PKD patient...

Paige Trischler

Paige Trischler “Each day I am thankful for Nights that turned into mornings Friends turned into family Dreams that turned into reality And likes that turned into loves…” -Anonymous Those four lines sum up my motto on life. I am...

Nell Gustavson

[caption id="attachment_2353" align="alignright" width="300"] Nell (right) and Liz[/caption] Finding hope and new life through a long-lost family bond I was diagnosed with PKD in 1987 at the age of 27. This was not a big surprise for me, especially since...

Honoring baby Helen’s memory through fundraising

Voices of PKD: Kristen Neary On May 24, 2002, my husband Keith and I welcomed our first daughter, Helen Grace into the world. She was perfect on the outside and let out a cry after being born. This was a...

Remembering baby Lauren in honor of Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day

Voices of PKD: Megan Kuck In February 2005, my husband and I had a second ultrasound to help us determine the gender of our second child. During the ultrasound, the tech went quiet and told us that she would be right...

Highfill family keeps their babies’ memories alive at the Walk for PKD

Voices of PKD: Lauren Highfill We have lost two babies to polycystic kidney disease (PKD). Ironically they both passed away on July 21st (one year apart). It makes remembering this sad day a little easier to have it all on one day!...

Spreading kindness in honor of baby Juniper’s memory

Voices of PKD: Mandy Wakely On December 10, 2008 my daughter Juniper Isabelle Wakely was born. Twenty minutes later, she died in my arms from autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). Even with all the planning I’d done in preparation for...

Jennifer Tompkins Kirshenbaum amplifies voices of those living with PKD by particpating in an in-district meeting

[caption id="attachment_18714" align="alignright" width="300"] From left to right: Walk Coordinator Angi Ulrich, Volunteer Chapter Coordinator Kim Beger and her husband, Nate Beger, and Volunteer Education Coordinator Jennifer Tompkins Kirshenbaum and her husband, Matt Kirshenbaum.[/caption] During the legislative year, the PKD...

Solving two problems at once

[caption id="attachment_1456" align="alignright" width="400"] Through the PKD Foundation's vehicle donation program, the Beger family was able to solve two problems at once: they got rid of the car they didn't need, and were able to provide funds for the Foundation.[/caption]...

Kriste Lewis fulfills her dreams and lives her best life with PKD

[caption id="attachment_1103" align="alignright" width="284"] Kriste and her family at the New Orleans Walk for PKD.[/caption] It was always on Kriste Lewis's bucket list to try out to be an NFL cheerleader. As she approached her 40th birthday, she decided to...

Grammy nominated artist co-produces album to benefit the PKD Foundation

[caption id="attachment_1090" align="alignright" width="350"] Grammy nominated artist Jeff Lorber knows all to well the impact PKD has on families.[/caption] Grammy nominated keyboardist/composer/producer, Jeff Lorber, and guitarist, Chuck Loeb team up to co-produce BOP, a one-of-a-kind traditional bebop album that brings...

Young scientist on mission to find alternative to his own transplant

[caption id="attachment_1089" align="alignright" width="250"] At 17 years old, Demetri Maxim is already a prize-winning scientist, budding inventor and patent holder, Olympic ski team hopeful, avid cyclist and drummer.[/caption] If Demetri Maxim has anything to say about it, he could be...