If you are looking for information about polycystic kidney disease (PKD), you're in the right place.
PKD is a genetic kidney disease that affects thousands of families across Canada. It can show up in childhood or adulthood. It can progress slowly or more quickly. Every experience is different.
Whether you are newly diagnosed, supporting someone with PKD, thinking about family planning, or navigating transplant decisions, this page will help you find clear, trusted information.
Take a breath. You don’t need to learn everything today.
Newly diagnosed with PKD?
If you’ve recently been diagnosed with PKD, you may be feeling overwhelmed. These resources explain PKD symptoms, progression, monitoring, and treatment options in plain language. Start here:
- What is polycystic kidney disease (PKD)?
- Brochure: PKD Disease Background
- About ADPKD (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease)
- About ARPKD (autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease)
- Brochure: ARPKD and CKD in Children
- Brochure: What is PKD? What Does the PKD Foundation of Canada Do?
- Brochure: Your Guide to Living with Polycystic Kidney Disease
- Brochure: Polycystic Kidney Disease: What Every Family Needs to Know
- Talking with family and friends about your PKD diagnosis
- Booklet: Having a Conversation with Your Adult Children about Your PKD Diagnosis
- Finding PKD Specialists
- Browse Educational Webinars about PKD
Genetics & family planning with PKD
Because PKD is inherited, many people have questions about testing, pregnancy, and children. Understanding genetic risk can help families make informed, supported decisions. Explore:
Living well with PKD
Many people live full lives with PKD for decades. Monitoring, lifestyle changes, and symptom management matter. Topics include blood pressure, cyst growth, kidney function, and ways to support overall kidney health. Explore:
- Browse Our PKD Health Blog
- Kidney Nutrition with PKD
- Booklet: Love Your Kidneys PKD Health Resource and Cookbook
- Booklet: Love Your Kidneys II: Planning PKD-Friendly Meals
- COVID and PKD
Mental health & PKD
PKD affects more than the kidneys. Living with a chronic kidney disease can bring stress, anxiety, uncertainty, and caregiver strain. Emotional support is part of whole-person care. Explore:
- Mental Health and PKD
- The Mental Health Journey of PKD
- Medical Trauma and PKD
- Living with the unknown when you have PKD
- The Benefits of Peer Support in PKD
- PKD Foundation of Canada Mind Matters Chats
- PKD Peer Support Group (in partnership with the Kidney Foundation of Canada)
- Browse Our PKD Mind Matters Blog
Managing PKD symptoms
PKD symptoms can include pain, abdominal fullness, fatigue, and itching related to chronic kidney disease. Symptom management improves quality of life. Explore:
Disease progression
PKD progresses differently for everyone. Monitoring kidney function over time helps guide treatment decisions. Learn more about:
Organ donation and transplant
Some people with PKD will eventually need dialysis or a kidney transplant. Support exists for both recipients and donors. Explore:
- Transitioning to Dialysis
- Blood, Organ and Tissue Donation
- Understanding Kidney Transplantation
- Living Kidney Donation
- Finding an Organ Donor
- Kidney Paired Donation
- Transplant Resources and Peer Support - the Transplant Ambassador Program (TAP)
You don't have to navigate PKD alone
The PKD Foundation of Canada supports individuals and families at every stage of polycystic kidney disease. We provide education, peer support, community programs, and advocacy for better treatments and research toward a cure.
For deeper dives into PKD topics, you can also check out the rich resources section on our private, online community, MyPKD.ca. There you can also find a comprehensive overview of life with PKD.
Wherever you are in your PKD journey, there is a next step – and someone to walk it with you.