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.
Beth Anderson is the Editor in Chief of Chic Galleria.com and Co-Owner of Chic Galleria Publications.
Hello, Our youngest son had a kidney scare when he was only 8 years old. We had to take him to a specialist and several tests were run. For several years, we had to check for blood in his urine. So far, so good. Juvenile Diabetes is a cause that I rally for. I lost my only brother from complications of it and now my older sister has Type 2. I wish bill many blessings in your quest of PKD Research! Many thanks, Cindi
None of my family has PKD. Heart Disease and Diabetes runs in my family, and effects my father. I was diagnosed with Lupus 4 years ago, and I understand your desire for more research!! God Bless!
Thank you for the awareness. I was not familiar with PKD until your article. Glad to hear that research is going well and that successful treatment is near.
I didn't know PKD affected so many people. I hope they find a cure soon to end the suffering.
I lost my great-grandfather and my grandmother to PKD. My mother had both kidneys removed & has had a successful transplant (almost 10 years!) and my aunt has had a successful transplant. I am 40 and have PKD - fortunately I have only very mild high blood pressure that is well controlled. Thanks so much for your article and for helping raise money for a cure for PKD!!
I have come to know and love Bill quite well as a fellow PKD patient and advocate for the PKD Foundation. I share his passion to find treatments and a cure for this often devastating disease. He and I have rolled up our sleeves for research, serve as PKD Foundation Board members, and use our voices as best that we can to help impact the lives of 12.5 million PKD sufferers throughout the world. Your help in supporting our quest for treatments and a cure for PKD is truly appreciated. Every little bit helps!
My dad only has one working kidney and his other is actually a man made kidney. He has had kidney problems his whole life. People who haven't been affected personally by kidney problems have probably had a family member who has had to dealt with some kidney issue, it is so important to make PKD known!
I think it is great to raise money for this important cause and although it had not affected me personally I do have a friend whose mother has been affected.
This has not affected me or anyone I know and love, but that doesn't mean I'm not sympathetic to the cause. I will make a donation as well. Thanks for hosting both promotions.
Wow - I had never heard of this before. Thanks for the wonderful article and information on this disease.
I have Rheumatoid Arthritis which is no where as bad- so I have an idea of how hard a chronic illness is. But my RA wont kill me.
Thanks.
Jill
jill.watkins@gmail.com
I hadn't heard of this condition like some of the others above. Thanks for sharing such a touching story. It really does make you appreciate what you have.
Bill's passion for raising money for PKD Research is awesome. Your article does a lot to raise awareness - Thanks! I am fortunate to be working with Bill but until now I wasn't aware of his Kenny the Kidney routine! It's great!!
My uncle was born with Down Syndrome and he also suffered from PKD. He was so sweet, funny, and kind. Sadly, he passed away several years ago at the age of 54.
No one in my family suffers from PKD but I applaud Bill's efforts to help fund valuable research for the disease. Seems like cancer runs in my family as well as high blood pressure and heart disease.
Kudos to Chi Galleria for lending support!
None of my family members suffers from PKD. However, Heart Disease and extremely high blood pressure runs in my family. Thanks for sharing info regarding PKD! :)
Totally forgot to enter Chic on the donation page, but just seeing Bill in that Kidney costume is like winning a prize.
Fortunately, no one I know has PKD (that I'm aware of), but one relative did have kidney problems last year after a heart attack, and a family friend is suffering through (though of course grateful for) frequent dialysis treatments. Makes you appreciate the small miracle of that organ.
Good for you for helping Bill to get the word out!
Diseases do cripple, and of course I support your cause. My husband suffers from osteoarthritis. I have severe stenosis of the internal carotid artery in the brain. I lost both parents to cancer; mom to breast cancer, dad to colon cancer. Nobody in the family has PKD, but I do empathize with all who have it. My heart goes out to them and I wish you great success in your drive to support them.
bgcchs(at)yahoo(dot)com
I learned a lot about this terrible disease from reading this article. I will keep Bill and his family in my thoughts.
I had a neighbor that passed away from PKD. As for other diseases.. a lot of my extended family members have diabetes.
oheeyore at hotmail dot com
Both my 19 & 15 year old boys have PKD. They got it from their father's side of the family, which has lost many members to the disease. It's great to see someone being such an advocate for PKD. Thanks for all of your hard work!