You see, I was diagnosed more than 25 years ago with a condition called Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). It is the same disease that has ravaged my family for generations — we didn’t do anything to get it. It was a gift of our genetics.
PKD is different for everyone, and varies widely among sufferers of the disease. It is a genetically linked condition that has a 50% chance of being passed to your children. It effects both kidneys simultaneously — neither is spared. There is no “cure” for PKD or for the resulting End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). “ESRD” means kidney failure. If both of your kidneys cease to function, as with ESRD — dialysis and/or transplant are the only treatments available.
Some people will need dialysis and/or transplant early on, others, like myself, live a good share of their life with few or no overt symptoms. End stage Renal Disease is inevitable, however, as the kidneys are damaged by the multitude of cysts that develop in and on the organs until the delicate structures within are irrevocably damaged and unable to function. PKD kills the the structures within the kidney that allow them to do their jobs.
I am in End Stage Renal Disease. And well, what that means is… after years of valiant efforts to keep them working… my kidneys have gotten to the point where I now need dialysis and will need a transplant in order to survive.
My life is different now that I am in end stage renal disease (ESRD). My kidneys no longer do much…a hemo-dialysis machine is doing most of the work these days. PKD & ESRD are demanding. Dialysis is demanding. They make demands on my time, my body, my mind and my spirit. They also make demands of others around me as there are some days when my condition makes it difficult for me to do normal, everyday things without help.
So..where does that leave me? Here. On this website, hoping, wishing, and praying for the courage, the strength, the health and the means to follow this path to its goal — a new kidney. I would be ever so grateful if you would be willing to join me on this journey and could perhaps help a bit. It’s not one I can make on my own, without help.
Keep in mind, none of the funds you may choose to donate to this campaign go directly to me. They are monitored and directed by Help Hope Live. I will have to submit a request for an expense to be paid. Anything I request funds for will go directly to pay off that particular bill. (So, don’t worry — no vacations in Maui!).
Family and friends of Jennifer Williams are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with transplantation.
Jennifer has chosen to fund-raise for Help Hope Live in part because Help Hope Live assures fiscal accountability of funds raised and tax deductibility for contributors. Contributors can be sure donations will be used to pay or reimburse medical and related expenses. To make a tax-deductible donation to this fundraising campaign, click on the Give button.
For more information, please contact Help Hope Live at 800.642.8399.
Thank you for your support!
