DIANE HUNTER

Cheri Barton has lived with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) for just about 15 years. PKD is one of the most common, life-threatening genetic diseases requiring lifelong treatment.

Barton organized the PKD walk Sunday, September 13, to raise money and awareness about the disease, and about donating organs. She will need a kidney and liver transplant in the near future. “This town is so supportive,” said Barton.

Barton has organized the Vankleek Hill PKD walk for the last 12 years, raising more than $172,000 for the cause, not including this year’s walk. “We typically get about $15,000 a year,” said Barton. “That includes the $5,000 community match donation we get from Scotia Bank.”

PKD is a potentially painful disease that is passed down genetically. It does not skip a generation. The disease affects one in 500 people including newborns, children and adults regardless of sex, age, race or ethnic origin.

PKD comes in two forms. Autosomal dominant (ADPKD) is one of the most common life-threatening genetic diseases and there is usually a family history of the disease. Autosomal recessive (ARPKD) is a relatively rare genetic disorder, occurring in approximately one in 20,000 individuals. It affects boys and girls equally and often causes significant Polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is one of the most common, life-threatening genetic diseases affecting one in 500. Cheri Barton has lived with PKD for just about 15 years. Barton is seen here with her family, son Keigan, husband Donald, and daughter Laura. Barton’s daughter Amber was not able to be present for the event. mortality in the first month of life.

With the presence of PKD, cysts develop in both kidneys. When numerous cysts develop, the kidney can increase in size and weight, sometimes weighing several pounds each. The cysts range in number and in size from the size of a pinhead, to the size of a grapefruit.

Some symptoms of PKD include hypertension, high blood pressure, chronic pain or heaviness, blood in the urine, urinary tract infections, and kidney stones. Other organs can be affected, including the liver, spleen, pancreas, vasculature, testes, seminal vesicles and intestines.

Parents with PKD have a 50 per cent chance of passing the disease onto their children. “I didn’t know I had PKD when we had our three children,” said Barton. “Our two daughters have it. We don’t know about our son yet.”

Approximately 40 to 50 per cent of patients experience kidney failure and may require a transplant. There is currently no cure for PKD.