Polycystic Kidney Disease Patient To Share Her Personal Story

Online, January 15, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Lori is one of the estimated 66,000 Canadians affected by Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), a hereditary disorder characterized by fluid-filled cysts on the kidneys, and she is sharing her personal journey on January 20 to encourage others living with chronic kidney disease to live the best life they can.

"At the age of 19, I was shocked to be diagnosed with an inherited kidney disease," said Lori, a PKD Foundation of Canada member. "Because I was adopted, I'd been unaware of my genetic medical history."

"Lori's personal story is unique in certain respects, but she is courageously dealing with many of the same issues other kidney disease patients must also face at some point in their lives," said Shiona Mackenzie-Morrison, Hamilton Chapter Coordinator of the PKD Foundation of Canada. "We can learn a lot from Lori's experiences and her determination to live life to the fullest. I am delighted she is willing to share her journey with us."

In 2010, Lori came close to dying from end-stage renal failure. Today a wife and mother of three children, Lori undergoes regular dialysis treatments and is on the waiting list for a kidney transplant.

Passionate about raising awareness of PKD and advocating for organ donation, the Hamilton Chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada is excited about hosting this special meeting. Other chronic kidney disease patients are also welcome to come and share their stories at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton on Sunday.

Free informational support meetings for PKD patients, their families and friends, are hosted by the Hamilton Chapter of the PKD Foundation of Canada six times a year. Free street parking and paid on-site parking is available.

More information is available on the PKD Foundation of Canada website.