Whitney Brown
I come from a family of PKD survivors. This disease has left a profound mark on my family tree, touching generation after generation with its relentless reach. Some of my earliest memories are of sitting beside my grandmother during her dialysis treatments. She faced many challenges with grace and strength but sadly passed away from kidney failure before I graduated high school. Her loss was the first of many. My father and aunt also battled PKD. Thanks to the incredible generosity of organ donors within their communities, both received kidney transplants that gave them not just more time but better time. Their lives were enriched with travel, freedom from dialysis, and moments of joy that would have otherwise been impossible. We’ll never be able to fully express our gratitude to those donors. Their selflessness gave our loved ones the gift of life. Both my father and aunt have since passed, and they leave behind four children, three of whom are now living with PKD. My brother has been on dialysis for five years, and the toll it’s taken on his health is growing. We’re currently searching for a donor kidney not only for him, but for my 20-year-old nephew, who went into kidney failure shortly after turning 18. At 51, I feel incredibly fortunate to still have around 30% kidney function. I haven’t yet experienced major disruptions to my daily life, and I cherish every day that my kidneys continue to work. Each morning, I wake up with gratitude for the ability to live freely, for the time I’ve been given, and for hope that still burns bright. My family has become passionate advocates for living kidney donations. We’ve seen firsthand how transformative it can be. I do everything I can to raise awareness about PKD—a disease that has taken so much from us, yet continues to unite us in strength, love, and hope. The PKD Foundation has been instrumental in providing education and support. I’m inspired by the advances in medicine and remain optimistic that a healthier future is within reach for my family and for others walking this same path.