Chic Galleria has a wonderful friend named Bill Brazell. Some of you may know him as Kenny The Kidney. Bill's family has lost a number of loved ones to a genetic disorder known as polycystic kidney disease, or PKD. "Six years ago PKD took the life of my first cousin Michael, a great guy with two kids. Born four and a half months before me, he was just 35. A little more than a year ago PKD took out Michael's father, my Uncle Dick, who was affectionately known as Poppy. A number of other loved ones have it, too", says Bill."So we raise money for PKD research by walking as "Mike & Poppy's All-Stars." Last year we won one of just three Long Jump Awards for raising more than $30,000. The research is going well, and a successful treatment is very close. But the lousy economy threatens our progress in ways that could hurt us for many years to come."
"A genetic mistake causes people with PKD to develop cysts, or pockets of fluid, on their kidneys. As the people grow, the cysts grow and multiply. In about half the cases, the cysts overwhelm the kidneys, causing them to fail. At that point a person needs dialysis or, if available, a transplant. Neither option is a walk in the park."
When Bill emailed me and asked if Chic Galleria would like to get involved, I wondered if it meant meeting him in NYC and wearing my own petite kidney. But no, I'm able to ask for your help from the comfort of my own office chair.
Two Giveaways
This week in honor of Bill's family members, Michael and Uncle Dick, Chic Galleria is holding 2 different giveaways. One giveaway is HERE at Chic Galleria for a $25 Starbucks card and one HERE at Bill's PKD Cure page to enter the raffle. Chic Galleria has donated this Keurig Platinum Brewing System for the raffle.
1) Nothing is required for you to be entered to win the $25 Starbucks card from Chic Galleria except to leave a comment on this article. Let us know if you or a family member suffers from PKD or any other disease.
2) To enter the raffle for a chance to win the Keurig Platinum Brewing System please donate at least $5 for PKD research, by clicking here:
http://www.pkdcure.org/kennythekidney
Unfortunately, donations under $5 cost the Foundation more to process than they're worth. For every $5 you donate, you will receive 1 virtual ticket. The more you donate, the more chances to win. Remember the winner will only be drawn from Chic Galleria readers who donate via our website. OK...Here is the tricky part...Please input the word "Chic" into your name so Bill will know you are a Chic Galleria friend. For instance, Beth "Chic" Anderson.....
The winners from both the Chic Galleria site giveaway and the raffle will be announced here on
Bill wants everyone to know how committed he is to this cause. He serves on the board of trustees -- and, like all PKD Foundation board members, he travels to meetings three times a year, paying my own travel and lodging. He goes to Washington each spring to lobby Congress for more money for PKD research. He donates regularly, as deeply as he can. For extra fun, he dresses up as a giant kidney and walk around Times Square:
http://www.kennythekidney.com/
PKD affects 600,000 Americans -- 1 out of every 500 people you see. That's more than cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, Huntington's disease, sickle cell anemia, Down syndrome and hemophilia *combined.* Please help us cure it.
Chic Galleria would like to help Bill reach his goal of raising $10,000 for PKD research. Thank you for your support!
Congratulations to Nancy who won the Starbucks gift card. Congratulations David who won the Keurig.
