Shari Roten

For my family, PKD has been part of our story for generations:

• My grandmother lost her life to PKD in 1946.
• My dad passed in 1963 from a brain aneurysm, a complication of weakened blood vessels linked to PKD.
• My brother received a transplant in 1996 and has defied the odds, living decades beyond the expected timeframe.
• My sister suffered a stroke in 1997, had a transplant in 2008, and fought bravely until her passing in March 2020—the very week our world shut down from COVID.
• My eldest child and two nieces live with this diagnosis today.

And me—I was diagnosed as a young girl in 1972. I’ve been blessed to raise four incredible children, but today, I live with stage four kidney failure. I am praying daily that I can stay as healthy as possible without needing dialysis or a transplant. My fight is for my children, their spouses, my grandchildren and great grandchildren, and my precious husband.
Tomorrow, on PKD Awareness Day, I stand in honor of my family’s journey, for
all who have battled, and for all who are still fighting. Will you take a moment to learn about PKD, share awareness, and hold space for the millions impacted worldwide?