PKD Foundation rallies support for PKD Cures Act and Walk for PKD events
News provided byPKD Foundation · 2 min read
On PKD Awareness Day, the PKD Foundation is rallying support for the bipartisan PKD Cures Act and hosting nationwide Walk for PKD events to accelerate research and treatment for polycystic kidney disease (PKD).
Observed annually on September 4, PKD Awareness Day aims to raise understanding of PKD, a genetic disorder characterized by the growth of fluid-filled cysts in the kidneys. PKD affects an estimated 500,000 people in the United States and can lead to kidney failure.
The PKD Cures Act, introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in June by Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), Carol Miller (R-W.Va.), Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), and Don Bacon (R-Neb.), is the first federal legislation dedicated to PKD research. If enacted, the bill would expand research at the National Institutes of Health, speed up clinical trials and the development of new therapies, and establish a long-term federal research roadmap. The legislation is seen as crucial given the rapid pace of PKD research, as it would ensure promising discoveries are translated into benefits for patients more quickly.
“Today, we stand at a pivotal moment in PKD research,” said Susan Bushnell, president and CEO of the PKD Foundation. “A cure is our finish line, and we need the nation's support to move toward it. The PKD Cures Act and the Walk for PKD are key steps in accelerating progress, and every participant in these events is making a difference.”
The Walk for PKD, the nation’s largest PKD fundraising and awareness event, has raised over $36 million since its inception in 2000. This year, 25 in-person events are scheduled across the country from September 12 to October 25, drawing patients, caregivers, physicians, and researchers.
Bushnell emphasized the importance of public participation: “Every step and every dollar raised helps us advance our mission and support the PKD community. Together, we can change the trajectory of this disease.”
The PKD Foundation, founded in 1982, is the largest private funder of PKD research in the U.S. and works to improve the lives of those affected by the condition. It provides education, advocacy, and direct support to communities nationwide.
Since its establishment, the PKD Foundation has been committed to driving research, finding treatments, and providing support to those affected by the disease. With the launch of the PKD Cures Act and the continuation of the Walk for PKD, the organization aims to make significant strides in the fight against PKD.