Stories

Voices of PKD: Brittany Hay and Colin Grieve

Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is no stranger to Colin Grieve. Colin grew up surrounded with people battling PKD; including his father, uncle and grandmother. Colin had his battles as a child, a youth, and as an adult. He has memories of spending time in the IWK Health Centre in Halifax,...

Voices of PKD: TJ Sullivan

"I believe in the power of advocacy, support and hope. My name is TJ Sullivan, and while I may not have polycystic kidney disease (PKD), the effects of this disease hits close to home, and the cause to fund research and a cure is incredibly close to my heart. My...

Voices of PKD: Judith Belair-Kyle

"Hi! It’s me, Judith, who told my story here almost a year ago. Since that time, a lot of things have changed. I am now transplanted with a new kidney, which a stranger gave to me thanks to my search for a donor on social media! I was asked to...

Voices of PKD: Christina Meyer

"My name is Christina Meyer and I was diagnosed with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) when I was 18 years old. It was an accidental finding during an ultrasound, and it was then that it came to light that I had cysts on my kidneys. Realizing that it is...

Voices of PKD: Jan Robertson, Newmarket ON

"We all share a very special bond as PKD patients and transplant recipients. We immediately become friends whenever our paths cross, whether online or in-person. I have seen so many miracles over the last 25 years. Each one makes me smile and helps heal my heart."

Luisa Miniaci-Di Leo, Montreal QC

"In October, two cysts on my left kidney ruptured.  Had it not been for some PKD patients encouraging me, I would never have written this. They suggested I write down my journey because they too have been through this before. They wanted me to educate those who do not understand...

Voices of PKD: Eric Hampel

"My PKD journey, like many people’s, started when I was 18, with an ultrasound to diagnose whether I had inherited PKD. My mom’s side of the family had been identified as having PKD since my late grandfather had a stroke in his 20s and passed away in his mid-30s (both...

Voices of PKD: Kelly Konieczny, AB

"Hello, my name is Kelly Konieczny. I am a daughter, sister, auntie, wife and mother in my family and a friend to many. I live in a small farming community in Alberta and am currently on medical leave from an Educational Assistant position I held for 25 years. This is...

Voices of PKD: Ciara Morin, Toronto ON

"My name is Ciara ("Kee-ra") and I'm a Registered Holistic Nutritionist in Toronto, Ontario, Canada with a real passion for kidney health. I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) at 17, halfway through my final year of high school. The disease is prevalent in my family and I knew there...

Voices of PKD: Mario Laureti, Gatineau QC

"Even though I dislike writing, I would like to share these results to give hope to other people with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). About 15 years ago, I had a scan because of acute appendicitis. The scan also revealed many polyps and cysts."

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