Walk for the cure!

One more post for today!

For those of you that don't know, my mother-in-law has PKD (polycystic kidney disease). It's a genetic disease that causes cysts to grow in the kidneys and leads to kidney failure. She has gotten a transplant, but dialysis is still part of the treatment.

Fortunately she's well enough to participate in the Orlando Walk for PKD, and could use some support. If you can't walk with her, please consider donating via their website. She would also appreciate any prayers as well. My family will definitely be supporting her as she walks for her future and ours.

This is in her words a brief description of her battle with PKD:
I was diagnosed with PKD in 1999,after years of high blood pressure. My brother was diagnosed the same year. And my older half-sister also has PKD. This is the legacy that my Grandfather Crenshaw left his family--PKD. Although we sibilings all have PKD, we differ greatly in the way it has affected our health. I have had the most difficult time. I'm on dialysis, and I've already had one kidney transplant.
But, although the physical effects of PKD can be difficult, God has blessed me with so many insights and so much grace during the last nine years. He has shown me that surrendering my control of my life is the way to peace and acceptance of a difficult situation. He has allowed for the technology to keep me alive and fairly healthy. He has guided my doctors as they care for me. And He has given me peace about my disease.
Now I want to be an advocate for PKD research. My children and grandchildren are all at risk for PKD. If a parent has PKD, each of her children has a 50/50 chance of having the disease. I want a cure before my dear ones suffer.
Please help me by supporting me in the 2008 Walk for the Cure. I appreciate any donations, and I especially cherish your prayers for me.

Please be a help for those who need it!

National Kidney Month

We're going to have a serious but important post today.

National Kidney Month

March is National Kidney Month. The various forms of kidney disease affect hundreds of thousands of people. Although some forms of kidney disease are genetic in nature, many people lose their kidney function because of diabetes or uncontrolled hypertension. Chronic kidney disease is insidious, as it progresses with few, if any symptoms, until irreparable damage is done. For more information, please see the websites listed below.

National Kidney Foundation: www.kidnet.org/

Free screenings for kidney disease: Call 1-800-620-9010 or visit www.keeponline.org to find the screening in your area. For Florida residents, there are no screenings this year.

PKD Foundation (Polycystic Kidney Disease): www.pkdcure.org/

PKD is a genetic kidney disease. There are 600,000 Americans and approximately 12.5 million people world-wide who suffer from PKD. PKD is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases and affects more people than Down Syndrome, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, and sickle cell anemia combined. There is no cure or treatment for PKD. As the disease progresses, patients must begin dialysis or receive a kidney transplant.

The PKD Foundation raises funds for continued research to find a cure for this disease. One of the ways they raise funds is by conducting a Walk for PKD, sponsored by PKD chapters in each state. This year’s Walk for PKD will be on September 20 or 21. Please consider walking for the cure this year. Information is on the PKD website.

World Kidney Day—March 13

Please consider signing to become an organ donor on World Kidney Day. You could save or improve the lives of two kidney patients by donating your kidneys. You may also consider becoming a living donor. Many transplant programs will work with living donors who give a kidney to a relative, friend, or even a stranger. Check your local transplant program for more information.

Give the gift of life—DONATE!

Some of you may already know that my Mother-in-law, Donna, suffers from PKD. She has already had one kidney transplant, but she is losing function of that transplanted kidney. She is planning on walking in the fund raiser being held in Tampa. If you would be interested in sponsoring her or donating toward the cause, please contact me. My contact information can be found in my profile information. Thank you so much for taking the time to learn about this disease. Please feel free to spread the word by copying and pasting the above information onto your blogs.

Go Gators!

My supervisor asked me to make this, it's for my MIL. She ordered her a set of Scrabble tiles to play fast Scrabble with while she's recovering. Can you guess she's a Gator fan?

The inside is lined with this bright orange slippery fabric that my mom has had laying around for years. I think its original purpose was to become a hunter's vest back when my 26 year old brother was 5.

You wouldn't think that a bag that small was as difficult as it was. I had it all cut out and planned and then my sewing machine decided it wasn't going to do buttonholes. SO... I had to redo the top and rethink the ribbon tube thingy. Agh! It was a learning experience to say the least.