Journey Strong

I have a Kidney Disease. Help me raise awareness about Kidney disease.

I have a genetic kidney disease called "Polycystic Kidney Disease" or PKD.  I've had it my whole life.  In a nutshell, my kidneys have cysts in them. This is not ideal as the kidneys are crucial to filtering and eliminating waste products from the bloodstream.  These cysts mean my kidneys are not functioning efficiently, and they are working harder than they should be.

Over time, these cysts grow in size and number until there is nothing left of the kidneys.  The result is kidney failure which means I will have to go on to dialysis or get a kidney transplant.

I’ve largely ignored it my whole life because I have always been fit and healthy - not your typical PKD sufferer. 

But in recent years my kidney function has declined dramatically, and I am heading towards inevitable kidney failure.

I manage it through exercise, eating healthy, staying well-hydrated, and blood pressure medication.  But that only slows it down - it does not stop or reverse it.

This October, I am going to do the Red Socks Run to help raise awareness about Kidney Disease, because it is actually more prevalent than you would think, and many people have Kidney Disease but do not know until it starts manifesting as a noticeable problem to their health.

I intend to run 60km, which will symbolise the 60hrs that people affected by kidney failure need to spend on dialysis each month.  You can join me by running, walking or riding 60kms.

I am well aware that people are doing it tough financially at the moment so please do not feel compelled to donate.  If you can, that’s great, but if you can’t then just having read this far means that I have created some awareness and that is a good thing.  

Perhaps you might like to join me in the 60km challenge?  That will help make a difference.

YOu can join my team by following the link below: https://fundraise.kidney.org.au/join/JourneyStrong

I’ll be running the 60kms over the weekend of 12 & 13 October, down at Narrawallee.  Feel free to join me or you can complete the 60kms over the whole month of October around where you are.