Welcome to the
community
With the help of our communities in cities across the country and beyond, we provide a forum for patients who want to join in the fight to find treatments and cure for PKD.
Connect with us to find out how you can make a difference in the lives of thousands in the U.S. and millions worldwide.
San Antonio Community Meeting
Cathy Lewis, BSN, RN, CNN will lead a discussion about hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis options.
Ashley Garcia-Everett, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine/Nephrology from University of Texas Health San Antonio will also join us to share information about our local Partner Clinic.
There will be time to share your PKD journey and hear from others within the community who understand what you’re experiencing.
EVENT DETAILS
Tuesday, April 11, 2023
7 pm – 8:30 pm
Video conference link will be emailed upon registration.
For questions about local events and activities, contact Mark Ruffin at sanantoniochapter@pkdcure.org.
ADPKD clinical trial opportunity in San Antonio
FALCON Study
Dr. Pergola at the Clinical Advancement Center is recruiting ADPKD patients to study the impact of Bardoxolone methyl on ADPKD progression. If you are interested in learning more about the FALCON study, visit our clinical trials page.
Registration for PKD Connect Conference (PKDCON) is open!
PKDCON brings together every part of the PKD community to provide education, research updates, resources, and networking opportunities. In-person and virtual options are available. Learn more and register today.
The PKD Foundation is excited to announce Centers of Excellence. If you are looking for the right healthcare providers to help you manage living with PKD, visit our Centers of Excellence page to learn more about this program and to find a Center of Excellence or a Partner Clinic.Now, as always, the PKD Foundation is committed to our mission of giving hope, advocating for patients, and building a community for all impacted by PKD. We'll continue supporting our community by providing important resources and timely updates on social media. If you have questions or need help navigating this unprecedented health crisis, we are here for you. Email or call (844) PKD-HOPE.
Mark Ruffin
PKD Connect Ambassador
I volunteer as the San Antonio Community because of my wife Patti’s medical history of PKD (hers and her family). By engaging critical partners here in San Antonio, I can help others faced with the challenges of this disease, and improve chances of finding a cure. Without others engagement, nothing happens!
Patti O’Grady Ruffin
Fundraising Ambassador
My paternal grandmother, father, two uncles, and two sisters lost their battle too young to PKD. After two years on dialysis due to PKD, a generous coworker came forwarded to donate her kidney to me in December, 2005. I have been blessed with this new lease on life and retirement (2009); and I knew I needed to step up as the volunteer Ambassador for the San Antonio Walk for PKD for 14 years. Now I have shifted my volunteer efforts as the Volunteer Fundraising Ambassador for San Antonio Community in an effort to ensure a better life for all living with PKD. A Cure is Our Finish Line. When people ask me why I volunteer, I have three words: best paycheck ever.
Diane Biery, MD, MBA
Walk for PKD Ambassador
After completing my undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University, I graduated from Southwestern Medical School and completed Residency training in both Internal Medicine and Anesthesiology at the University of California San Francisco. After transitioning from private practice in 2012, I served as the Chief Quality Officer at a six-hospital system in South Texas before joining the Methodist Healthcare team as Chief Medical Officer at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital in 2016. While serving in that role I was blessed to be able to support a world class kidney and liver Transplant program.
My family suffers from PKD and both my husband and daughter are affected. As someone whose loved ones are at risk, I am indebted to all those who work to strive for a cure while supporting those during their journey with kidney disease. My husband is a 20-year survivor of a successful living donor kidney transplant performed at MSTH and my daughter is taking Tolvaptan to prolong her kidney function. Both of these life-saving treatments were made possible by dedicated professionals supported by the volunteer community.
Now that I am retired I am joining the PKD community as a Co-Ambassador for the San Antonio annual PKD walk. It is my privilege to pay it forward and help make a difference in others’ lives.
Laura Riojas-Noriega
Walk for PKD Ambassador
Page last updated November 2022