City Councillor Supports First Annual Walk For PKD in Guelph Next Month

Online, August 9, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Mr. Todd Dennis, City Councillor (Ward 6), will attend Guelph's very first Walk for PKD (polycystic kidney disease) for the official ribbon cutting ceremony. The goal of the September 2011 Walk is to raise public awareness, and funds for research on PKD.

"I believe strongly in volunteering and participating in community, city and industry organizations," he said. He has been a Guelph resident since 2002.

Registration takes place at Riverside Park in Guelph at noon.
The walk starts promptly at 1pm and will be followed by a post-walk BBQ for registered participants, sponsored by Money Direct.

A pre-launch party will be held at Boston Pizza on Woodlawn Road West in Guelph, this month.

Globally, some 12.5 million people have PKD. The Walk for PKD takes place in 60 cities worldwide and thousands of North Americans take to the streets every year raising funds to find a cure for PKD. Donations also can be made online by visiting the website.

Polycystic kidney disease is one of the most common, life-threatening, genetic diseases. PKD causes cysts to grow in the kidneys and eventually can lead to kidney failure. Today, dialysis and/or kidney transplantation are the only treatment options.

The not-for-profit PKD Foundation of Canada leads the national fight against PKD through research funding, advocacy, patient education and support.

The newly established Hamilton chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada hosts regular informational support meetings for local patients, their families and friends.

The PKD Foundation of Canada is supported by the PKD Foundation - USA's Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), made up of 12 of the most prestigious physicians and scientists in North America. The SAC oversees PKD Foundation - USA research and medical programs aimed at discovering and delivering treatments for PKD. They meet several times throughout the year to discuss relevant medical issues, provide guidance to the PKD Foundation - USA staff, and review and approve research applications for grants and fellowships in the field of PKD science.

For more information, visit www.endpkd.ca or call 1-877-410-1741.