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What is PKD?
Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) is a lifelong, genetic condition that causes clusters of fluid-filled cysts to grow in the kidneys over time. These cysts aren’t cancerous—but they do grow, and as they do, they slowly take over the kidney, making it harder and harder for it to do its job.
There is currently no cure for PKD, and treatment options are limited. For many people, the disease progresses to kidney failure. When that happens, the only options are dialysis—being connected to a machine multiple times a week to filter the blood—or a kidney transplant.
Because PKD is genetic, it runs in families. The most common form means there is a 50% chance of passing it on to your children. This is why so many families, like Susan’s, have multiple loved ones affected by the disease—and why finding a living donor within the family isn’t always possible.
A healthy kidney is about the size of a fist. But with PKD, the kidneys can grow much larger over time as cysts continue to form and expand. In advanced stages, kidneys can become as large as a football and weigh several pounds each. This growth doesn’t just affect kidney function—it can also cause significant discomfort, pressure, and pain as the enlarged kidneys push against other organs.
PKD is more than just a diagnosis. It’s something that slowly changes daily life—impacting energy, comfort, and overall health.